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The Scottish Naturalist

A Magazine devoted to Zoology

With which is incorporated

“The Annals of Scottish Natural History”

EDITED BY

A. C. STEPHEN, D.Sc., F.R.S.E.

Keeper , Natural History Department , Royal Scottish Museum.

AND

PERCY H. GRIMSHAW, I.S.O., F.R.S.E., F.R.E.S.

Formerly Keeper , Natural History Department , Royal Scottish Museum.

ASSISTED
, D.Sc.

Professor JAMES RITCHIE, M.A.

F R S E

EVELYN* V. BAXTER, F.Z.S., H.M.B.O.U.
LEONORA J. RINTOUL, F.Z.S., H.M.B.O.U.

BY

H. S. GLADSTONE, M.A., F.R.S.E., F.Z.S.
C. H. O’DONOGHUE, D.Sc., F.R.S.E.
ANDERSON FERGUSSON, F.R.E.S.

A. R. WATERSTON, B.Sc.

EDINBURGH: OLIVER & BOYD, Tweeddale Court
LONDON: GURNEY & JACKSON, 33 Paternoster Row

1937

rzxs, v/

EDINBURGH: OLIVER & BOYD, Tweeddale Court
LONDON : GURNEY & JACKSON, 33 Paternoster Row

Price 25. 3 d. Annual Subscription, payable in advance, 12 s. 6d. post free

The Scottish Naturalist

A Magazine devoted to Zoology

With which is incorporated

“The Annals of Scottish Natural History”

EDITED BY

A. C. STEPHEN, D.Sc., F.R.S.E.

Keeper , Natural History Department , Royal Scottish Museum.

AND

PERCY H. GRIMSHAW, I.S.O., F.R.S.E., F.R.E.S.

Formerly Keeper , Natural History Department , Royal Scottish Museum.

ASSISTED BY

Professor JAMES RITCHIE, M.A., D.Sc.,

EVELYN* V. BAXTER, F.Z.S., H.M.B.O.U.
LEONORA J. RINTOUL, F.Z.S., H.M.B.O.U.

H. S. GLADSTONE, M.A., F.R.S.E., F.Z.S.
C. H. O’DONOGHUE, D.Sc., F.R.S.E.
ANDERSON FERGUSSON, F.R.E.S.

A. R. WATERSTON, B.Sc.

All Articles and Communications intended for publication, and all Books, etc.,
for notice, should be sent to The Editors, Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh.

Subscriptions and Advertisements should be addressed to the Publishers,
Messrs Oliver and Boyd Ltd., Tweeddale Court, Edinburgh.

Authors of General Articles will receive 25 Reprints (in covers) of their Contributions
gratis. Additional Copies, in covers, may be had from the Printers, at the ordinary prices
ruling, provided such orders accompany the Manuscript.

EVERY NATURALIST SHOULD READ

The following major articles which have appeared in recent

numbers of The Scottish Naturalist : —

Scottish Insect Immigration Records.

Notes on Highland Diptera. (Illustrated.)

Ferrets and Polecats.

Notes on Whales stranded on the Scottish Coast. (Illustrated.)

Isle of May Bird Observatory.

The Natural History of South Rona. (Illustrated.)

The Occurrence of Gammarus in Scottish Waters.

Notes from Gairloch in Wester Ross.

Scottish Sand-eels.

Further Notes on the Parasites of the Magpie Moth.

Land Planarians of the British Isles.

Lesser Redpoll in Midlothian.

Isle of May Bird Observatory Report.

The Eider in Sutherland and Shetland.

Notes on the Birds of Loch and Forest. (Illustrated.)

Wild and Domestic Cat compared. (Illustrated.)

Kingfishers breeding in Juvenile Plumage.

As well as numerous shorter notices of interesting events in the
Wild Life of Scotland.

(. Authors are responsible for nomenclature used.)

The Scottish Naturalist

No. 223] 1937 [January-February

EDITORIAL

FAUNA OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES

Of recent years considerable attention has been paid to
the fauna of the Outer Hebrides. The accounts of the
fauna of South Rona were published in the SCOTTISH
Naturalist (1934, p. 1 1 3). Another survey has recently
been made of the island of Barra in the summer of 1935
by the Edinburgh University Biological Society {Proceedings
Royal Physical Society, vol. xxii., part 5, pp. 241-296). A full
investigation was made of the plant and animal life, and
the results have proved to be very interesting. Some idea
of the value of the survey may be gauged from the fact that
over seven hundred species of invertebrates were obtained
during a fortnight in July. Many of the species recorded are
additions to the Hebridean fauna, while several are new to
the Scottish list.

The results of another interesting survey, namely that of
the brackish water lochs in the neighbouring island of North
Uist, have recently been published by Dr E. A. T. Nicol
{Proceedings Royal Society of Edinburgh , vol. lvi., part 2,
pp. 169-195). These brackish water lochs are influenced to
varying degrees by the tidal flow. Their fauna is very
varied : 59 marine, 24 fresh-water, and 25 brackish water
forms were found.

WOODLAND BIRD ENQUIRY

An enquiry into the distribution of British woodland birds
has been organised through the British Trust for Ornithology.
Valuable data have been collected, but more are still needed,
223

A

2

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

particularly in Scotland, and particularly for Birch woods.
The type of observation required is comparatively simple
and need not take up much time, being primarily to provide
lists of the birds occurring in different types of woods.
Census work is not required. Data are needed for both winter
and summer, the enquiry closing at the end of June 1936.

Would anyone interested write to David Lack, Esq.,
The School, Dartington Hall, Totnes, Devon. A schedule
with notes on the type of observation required will then
be sent.

We are glad to bring before our readers the notice of
the proposed Scottish Ornithological Club sent us by the
sponsors.

The Scottish Ornithologists’ Club. — “ It has long been
felt that a common meeting ground for all those interested
in Ornithology in Scotland would be of great value. To this
end it has been decided to inaugurate the Scottish Orni-
thologists’ Club, the membership of which will be open to
all interested in this branch of science. Scottish Ornithology
has many problems purely its own, and such a Club would
provide the means for a concerted effort towards the solution
of these, as well as enabling ornithologists resident in
Scotland to meet and discuss their work and difficulties.

“ It is proposed to hold the First General Meeting of the
Club in the rooms of the Royal Scottish Geographical
Society, Synod Hall, Castle Terrace, Edinburgh, on 14th
January 1937 at 5.30 p.m., when all interested will be
cordially welcomed. There will be Talks, Discussions, and
a display of bird films.

“ Enrolment of members will take place at this meeting.
Annual subscription, 5s. Those interested, who are unable
to attend this meeting, can obtain full particulars from the
Honorary Secretary, George Waterston, 27 Inverleith Terrace,
Edinburgh.”

James Bartholomew.
Evelyn V. Baxter.
Charles G. Connell.
Arthur B. Duncan.

H. F. D. Elder.
William Rennie.
Leonora J. Rintoul.
George Waterston.

NOTES ON THE STATUS OF BIRDS IN SCOTLAND IN 1 936 3

NOTES ON THE STATUS OF BIRDS IN
SCOTLAND IN 1936.

By Evelyn V. Baxter and Leonora Jeffrey Rintoul.

One of the gratifying features of Scottish Ornithology is
the number of additions and changes which fall to be made
year by year in our Geographical Distribution and Status
of Birds in Scotland. The constantly changing conditions
inevitably produce such fluctuations, and it is of the utmost
importance that ornithologists should remain constantly
aware of these and should chronicle them as they occur.
No one can work long at the ornithology of our country
without recognising how much valuable information has been
lost in the past from want of systematic recording. That
this reproach should not be levelled at the ornithologists of
to-day should be our constant aim and endeavour.

Three birds have been added to the Scottish list. New
pages should be headed thus: — “The Scandinavian
Jackdaw, Coloeus monedula monedula (L),” and “ OW ”
added to Fair Isle (xii.1936.61), and “ O ” to N. Sutherland
(xvii.xxx.224). “The Tawny Pipit, Anthus campestris cam-
pestris (L).” Add “O” to Fair Isle (xii. 1936.62). “The
Booted Warbler, Hypolais caligata (Licht).” Add “ O ”
to Fair Isle (xvii.xxx.226). This bird is also new to Britain.
An interesting note, but one which we do not feel is wholly
substantiated, is that of a Chough, in Westray, Orkney, on
19th October 1935 (xvii.xxix.292).

Rook, insert “ used to be ” before “ R ” in Arran, as Mr M ‘William says it has been
driven out of that island.

Jackdaw, add “ P ” to the Isle of May.

Chough, add “used to breed ” to Dumbarton.

Hawfinch, add “ O ” to Ayr.

Siskin, add “ has bred ” to Ayr.

Twite, add “ W ” to Ayr.

Holboll’s Redpoll, add “ O ” to Ayr.

British Bullfinch, add “ W ” to Lanark.

Common Crossbill. Mr M ‘William refers all the Crossbills recorded in Clyde to
the typical form Loxia curvirostra curvirostra. Italics may therefore be
removed and an ordinary “ O ” substituted in all divisions.

Chaffinch, add “ W ” to Renfrew.

Ciri Bunting, add “ O ” to the Isle of May.

4

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

Meadow Pipit, add “ S ” to Midlothian.

Yellow Wagtail, add “ O ” to Kinross.

Continental Cole Tit, add “O” to the Isle of May. There appears to be
doubt as to whether the record of this subspecies in Morayshire is authentic
a “ ? ” therefore should be added to the “ O ” for Morayshire.

Continental Golden Crested Wren, add “ O ” to Lanark.

Pied Flycatcher, add “ O ” to Renfrew.

Chiffchaff, add “ O ” to N. Perth.

Wood-warbler, add “ P ” to Ayr and Renfrew, and delete the “ ? ” for Arran.
Sub-alpine Warbler, add “ O ” to E. Ross (xx.lvi.5).

British Song Thrush, add “ W ” to S. Argyll.

Iceland Redwing, add “has bred” to Fair Isle. Mr George Stout considered
these breeding birds to be the Icelandic form Turdus musicus coburni.
Wheatear, add “ P ” to Lanark and Renfrew.

Hebridean Stonechat, add “ R ” to Bute, as birds got by Mr M‘William there
in the breeding season belonged to this subspecies. Add also “O” to
Ayrshire.

Black Redstart, add “ O ” to Dumbarton.

White-spotted Bluethroat, add “O ” to the Isle of May fxii. 1936.162).

British Redbreast, add “ P ” to Ayr and Arran.

British Hedge Sparrow, add “ P ” to Ayr.

Hebridean Hedge Sparrow, add “R” to N. Argyll and Skye, and “O” to
Dumbarton. Further investigation into the validity of these Hebridean
subspecies would be welcome.

British Great Spotted Woodpecker, delete “O has bred” and substitute “R” in
Ayr and Dumbarton.

Snowy Owl, add “O ” to N. Fife.

Greenland Falcon, add “O ” to Ayr.

Golden Eagle, add “has bred” to Ayr, delete “? and bred 1872” leaving “R”
in Dumbarton.

Rough-legged Buzzard, add “ OW ” to Dumbarton and Arran.

Common Buzzard, add “ used to be common and nested 1922 ” to Arran.
Montague’s Harrier, “ ? ” Ayr record.

White-tailed Eagle, add “O ” to Fair Isle.

Bittern, add “ O ” to North Sutherland.

Pink-footed Goose, add “ O ” to Bute and Caithness.

Ruddy Shelduck, add “ O ” to W. Stirling.

Gadwall, add “O has bred ” to S.E. Sutherland.

Garganey, add “ O ” to S. Fife and Kinross.

Pintail, add “has bred” to Forfar and “has bred, but probably the progeny of
tame birds ” to Bute.

Tufted Duck, add “ W ” to S. Argyll.

Eider, add “ W ” to Ayr.

Goosander, add “has bred” to Dumbarton, delete “O” insert “W” to Ayr,
Dumbarton, and W. Stirling.

Smew, add “ O ” to S. Argyll.

Storm Petrel, add “ O ” to Dumbarton.

Slavonian Grebe, add “O ” to Arran and S. Argyll.

Little Grebe, add “ R ” to Arran.

Black-throated Diver, add “ O ” to Fair Isle.

Pallas’ Sandgrouse, delete “ O ” in Bute.

Collared Pratincole, add “ O ” to Fair Isle.

NOTES ON THE STATUS OF BIRDS IN SCOTLAND IN 1 936 5

Southern Golden Plover, add “ S ” to Renfrew and Lanark.

Lapwing, add “ W ” to Morayshire.

Turnstone, add “ P ” to Renfrew.

Knot, add “ O ” to S. Argyll.

Little Stint, add “ O ” to Dumbarton and S. Argyll.

Temminck’s Stint. Mr M William retains Ayrshire record in square brackets,
therefore add “ ? ” to the “ O ” for Ayr.

Wood Sandpiper, add “ O ” to the Isle of May.

Greenshank, delete the “ O ” in “ O W ” for Outer Hebrides.

Avocet, add “ O ” to N. Argyll.

Sandwich Tern, add “used to breed ” to Dumbarton.

Little Gull, add “ O ” to S. Argyll.

Herring Gull, add “ R, not breeding ” to Nairn.

Scandinavian Lesser Black-backed Gull, add “ O ” to Aberdeen.

Great Black-backed Gull, add “ used to breed ” to Dumbarton.

Ivory Gull, “ ? ” the “ O ” for Ayr.

Buffon’s Skua, delete the “ O ” for Ayr.

Black Guillemot, delete “not breeding” and insert “has bred” to Bute.

Baillon’s Crake, delete the “ O ” for Ayr, as this and the Renfrew record refer to
the same bird.

Capercaillie, add “died out again about 1915 ” to Arran.

Scottish Ptarmigan, delete “ ? ” in S. Argyll, leaving “ R.”

Quail, add “ has bred ” to Ayr and Renfrew.

NOTES

Bottle-nosed Whale ashore in Islay. — On the 17th October
1936 a male Bottle-nosed Whale ( Tursiops truncatus ) was washed
ashore on the east side of Loch Gruinart, Islay. The animal
measured 22 feet 3 inches.

The front part of the lower jaw was forwarded to the Museum
by Mr E. J. Combes. At first the teeth were not visible above the
gum but on boiling and removing the flesh the two usual pairs
of teeth were found, a large pair near the tip of the jaw and a very
much smaller pair a little way back. The measurements of the
teeth were as follows : —

Right side.
Left side.

Large tooth. Length 42 mm.
Small tooth. Length 12 mm.

Max. diam. 15 mm.
Max. diam. 3 mm.

Large tooth. Length 41 mm.
Small tooth. Length 10 mm.

Max diam. 15 mm.
Max. diam. 2 mm.

The large teeth were very solid and had only a small pulp cavity
left at the base. The small teeth had no cavity but were solid,—
A. C. Stephen, Royal Scottish Museum,

6

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

Storm-Petrel, Hydrobates petagicus (L.), in Edinburgh.

— On Monday evening the 26th October 1936 in Princes Street,
Edinburgh, during the height of a S.W. gale, a gentleman picked
up a strange bird. The bird, which was in an exhausted condition,
was brought to me on the 30th October for identification. I saw
that it was a fine specimen of the Storm-Petrel which had evidently
been driven from the sea by the gale. It succumbed shortly after
I saw it.

On the 19th October 1864 a Storm-Petrel was picked up at
10 p.m. by a policeman in the Cowgate, Edinburgh. There was
a gale on that date also. — Bruce Campbell, Edinburgh.

Mottled Hairworm, Gordias villoti (Rosa), in Dumfries.

— A single male of this species was sent to the Royal Scottish
Museum for identification in early November 1936. The specimen
came down a tap in a house, and was sent to the Museum by
Mrs Morgan of Collin, Dumfries. Ritchie, in his account of the
Scottish Hairworms (Scot. Nat., 1915, p. 261) gives records of the
occurrence of this species in the Tweed, Forth, Tay and Moray
Areas. — A. R. Waterston, B.Sc., Royal Scottish Museum.

Ballan Wrasse in Banff — In my notes re Ballan Wrasse in
Banff, published in the last issue of The Scottish Naturalist,
I carelessly named the species Labrus mixtus instead of L. maculatus
Day = bergylta Smitt, which is in accordance with my records at the
Marine Laboratory. — Henry Wood, Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen.

A Rare Ply, Bctinocera borealis Zett. (Dipt.), in Dumfries-
shire.— I have been fortunate in taking a pair of this rare fly on
Nutberry Moss in south-eastern Dumfriesshire, one, a d, on 21st
May 1931 and the other, a $ , on 31st May 1932. Both were taken
by sweeping alongside a small mixed wood in the evening. They
remained some time unidentified until Mr J. E. Collin kindly deter-
mined them as this species. In returning them he wrote : “This is
a northern insect and I do not possess a £ though I have taken a
few 9 ? Aviemore.” It has been recorded from Nethy Bridge
(Inverness) and Bonhill (Dumbarton) in June.* The $ is less than
the $ , and the antennae attract attention. — Jas. Murray, Gretna.

* Also West Sutherland [Eds.].

SUMMER BIRD NOTES FROM NORTH RONA

7

SUMMER BIRD NOTES FROM NORTH RONA.

By John A. Ainslie and Robert Atkinson, B.A.

All previous notes on the birds of North Rona were
combined with T. H. Harrisson’s own observations in his
paper “Resident and Migratory Birds of North Rona”
(Ibis, July 1932, pp. 441-57) — the result of a visit to the
island from 28th August to 3rd September 1931. All
records have thus been brought up to date to 1931 ; since
then no further work has been published and no one has
landed on Rona for more than a few hours. The present
paper is a result of a stay on the island from 16th July to
12th August 1936, when we camped in the ruined village
in order to study the breeding habits of Leach’s Fork-tailed
Petrel ( Oceanodroma L leucorrhoci), an account of which we
hope to publish in due course.

The middle of August is, of course, too early for the
autumnal migration, which was just beginning when we
left, but in view of the previous work on so remote and
inaccessible an island any records of the bird life are likely
to be of interest. Of the 39 species remarked during our
stay, 4 are new records for North Rona. Previous records
are referred to when significant.

As few people are in any way acquainted with North
Rona a brief description of its topography is a necessary
prelude to the full understanding of the bird life. The
island lies 40 miles due north of a point midway between
Cape Wrath and the Butt of Lewis, has a maximum length
and breadth of I mile and a coast-line of 5 miles. A ridge,
with a highest point of 355 feet to the east, runs east and
west, with steep cliffs at either end. To the north and
south-west the ridge slopes down into flat peninsulas. The
acreage is approximately 300. The ruins of half a dozen
semi-underground crofters’ houses — “ the village ” — stand on
the south slope of the hill ridge. Above the thrift-covered
rocks the land is grown with rough grasses, sedges and
rushes. Chickweed, Sorrel, Autumnal Hawkbit, Silverweed,

8

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

Scurvy Grass and Corn Feverfew occur commonly. Trees,
shrubs and heather are unknown. Apart from the birds the
only vertebrates are seals and sheep. North Rona has been
uninhabited since 1844; only the tenant now pays an annual
one-day visit to shear his sheep.

Our thanks are due to W. Stirling, of the Royal Scottish
Museum, and to H. F. Witherby who kindly identified two
species of which we were uncertain.

A list of references is appended.

Systematic List.

Starling, Sturnus vulgaris vulgaris.

In July there were still seven pairs nesting among the
ruins ; in addition a flock of about 70 birds fed among
the sheep. Starlings are the only birds here dependent
on the sheep.

Crossbill, Loxia curvirostra curvirostra.

On 22nd July a single immature bird, very tame, feeding
on the flower-heads of Chickweed ( Stellaria media). On
29th July 1927, 2 30, including a red male, were recorded
feeding on Sea-Pink ( Armeria maritima) flower-heads.

White Wagtail, Motacilla alba alba.

A small party first seen on 4th August. On 9th August
three flocks, totalling about 150 birds, flew in from the
south-east. Subsequently, until we left, the bird was fairly
numerous about the rocks.

Meadow Pipit, Anthus pratensis.

None appeared to be breeding and none was seen until
10th August when 3 or 4 birds appeared on the north
peninsula.

ROCK Pipit, Anthus spinoletta petrosus.

About 30 pairs have usually been recorded as breeding.
It was difficult to make an estimate as many of the young
had flown, but we reckoned at least 50 pairs. No migration
was noted.

Barred Warbler, Sylvia nisoria nisoria.

A young bird on 12th August. One on 1st September

SUMMER BIRD NOTES FROM NORTH RONA

9

and one on 3rd September 1931. As these occurrences were
recorded during the only two late summer visits yet paid to
Rona, they indicate a regular migration route for the species.

COMMON Wheatear, CEnanthe oenanthe cenanthe.

As in most years there were 3 or 4 pairs nesting, but
we never saw any young. An increase was noted on 28th
July, and on 5th August there was a considerable invasion;
most of these visitors had departed by 7th August.

Greenland Wheatear, CEnanthe oenanthe leucorrhoa .

A female Wheatear shot on 12th August proved to be
of this race.

Heron, Ardea cinerea cinerea.

Two birds frequented opposite ends of the island through-
out our stay. They were constantly mobbed by gulls and
terns.

Greylag Goose, Anser anser.

On 17th July a much emaciated immature bird was found,
apparently trapped in a declivity in the rocks. There were
no signs of birds having bred on the island, nor has this
species previously been recorded here.

Teal, Anas crecca crecca.

On 8th August a female was flushed from a freshwater
rock pool. There are no previous records.

COMMON Eider, Somateria mollissima mollissima.

There were not more than 20 breeding pairs, although
in both 1930 and 1931 3 about 60 pairs were recorded. The
only old nests seen, for by July all the eggs had hatched,
were on high ground in thick sedge, several hundred yards
from the sea.

SHAG, Phalacrocorax graculus graculus.

Numerous and breeding all round the island. (One young
bird, when disturbed, regurgitated 22 small fish !)

Gan NET, Sula bassana.

There are breeding colonies on both Sula Sgeir and
Stack Skerry. Parties of birds were continually seen flying
past the island and, especially in rough weather, fished close
inshore. Nothing like genuine migration, however, was seen.
223

B

10

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

Storm Petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus.

First recorded in 1885.5 About 20 pairs now nest among
the ruins ; many more lay under boulders in other parts of
the island.

Leach’s Fork-tailed Petrel, Oceanodroma leucorrhoa
leucorrhoa.

Reported as numerous in 1 883 ; 6 in 1931 Harrisson3
estimated 120 pairs. By means of marking occupied burrows
as they were discovered, each night during our stay, we
arrived at a total of 327 pairs for the ruined area. There
were, in addition, at least 50 pairs nesting in other parts
of the island.

[Manx Shearwater, Puffinus puffinus puffinus .

Swinburne6 suspected breeding in 1883. We were out
every night studying the previous species, and had there
been even a small colony I do not think we could have
overlooked it.]

FULMAR, Fulmar us glacialis glacialis.

About 600 pairs in 1931; 3 in 1936 a careful census
revealed 587 occupied nests. As in past years many were
nesting on the ground among the ruins, several hundred
yards from the sea.

Turtle Dove, Streptopelia turtur turtur.

One on 12th August on the south-west peninsula.
Previous records : One at the north end 29th August and
2nd September 1931 ; one at the south-west point 1st
September 193 1.3

[Lapwing, Vanellus vanellus.

A bird (or birds) flying from west to east, calling, on the
night of 25th July. As only the call was heard and as there
appear to be no previous records, the note must remain
in square brackets.]

Oyster-Catcher, Hcematopus ostralegus ostralegus.

About 8 pairs in 1931. 3 Very few young birds were seen
in 1936, but at least 30 adults were always present.

RINGED Plover, Charadrius hiaticula hiaticula.

Small parties of up to half a dozen birds were noted

SUMMER BIRD NOTES FROM NORTH RONA

ii

irregularly during our visit. The majority were immature,
as in 193 1.3

GOLDEN Plover, Charadrius apricarius subsp. ?

None was shot so the subspecies is uncertain. Golden
Plover were noted as follows : 28th July, one flying west to
east, calling; 5th August, one on the south-west corner;
10th August, one flying north to south, calling ; 1 ith August,
a party of 7 on the high ground in the centre of the island.
Both races have been recorded in the past.3
TURNSTONE, Arenaria interpres interpres.

There was always a small party on some part of the
island; 15 on 9th August.

DUNLIN, Calidris alpina , subsp. ?

On 7th and nth August, one adult in summer plumage.

Purple Sandpiper, Calidris maritima maritima .

A single bird feeding with Turnstones on 5th August.
Two in transition plumage on 3rd September 1931. 3
SANDERLING, Crocethia alba.

One adult in summer plumage, 10th August. In 1931
a single bird was noted on 31st August and 2nd September.3

Common Sandpiper, Tringa hypoleucos.

One on 24th and 27th August, feeding by a freshwater
pool. A new record.

Redshank, Tringa totanus , subsp.?

Always a small party present; 11 on 28th July. Both
“ totanus ” and “ robusta ” have been recorded.3

CURLEW, Numenius arquata arquata.

Usually about half a dozen birds present. On 20th July,
12 ; on 1 2th August, 22 flying round the island.

Whimbrel, Numenius phceopus phceopus.

Suspected by Harvie-Brown 5 to be breeding in 1885.
The only other record is of a pair seen on the high ground
on 2 1st June 1914.1 Four on 4th August 1936 were feeding
with Curlew, and on 12th August a single bird was seen on
the south-west peninsula.

Arctic Tern, Sterna macrura.

About 60 pairs were divided among small colonies all

12

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

round the island. A few young were seen on the wing on
ioth August, when the adults seemed to be congregating,
although on this date at least one bird was still brooding
eggs. Very few nests were found. The location of the
colonies appears to vary from year to year.

HERRING-GULL, Larus argentatus argentatus.

A few breed annually; in 1936 there were not more than
20 pairs.

Lesser Black-backed Gull, Larus fuscus grcellsiu

A few breeding, not more than 6 pairs. Previous
estimates of breeding pairs are much higher1®’6

Great Black-backed Gull, Larus marinus.

Numerous: at least 250 pairs in three colonies. They
began to leave as soon as the young could fly reasonably
well; by 12th August not more than 70 adults remained.
The numbers appear to vary considerably from year to
year.3, 4 In 1936 the number seemed quite disproportionate
to the size of the island and the rest of the breeding
population. In 1935 Handa Island, with a comparable
population of Puffins, Auks and Kittiwakes, supported only
about 30 pairs of Great Black-backed Gulls. It is probable
that their numbers on Rona will fall off after a few years. At
present the island is strewn with the carcases of their prey —
chiefly Kittiwakes and Puffins. They are also suspected of
considerable damage to the sheep during the lambing season.

KlTTIWAKE, Rissa tridactyla tridactyla.

About 700 occupied nests and as many empty. The first
young were seen on the wing on 1st August.

Razorbill, A lea torda.

Fairly numerous. The last bird was seen on 3rd August.

Guillemot, Uria aalge aalge{})

More numerous than Razorbills ; both left at the same
time.

Black Guillemot, XJria gry lie gry lie.

Probably 3-5 pairs in 1930; 3 in 1936 there were 15-20
pairs. It is to be hoped that this engaging species will
continue to increase.

SUMMER BIRD NOTES FROM NORTH RONA

13

PUFFIN, Fratercula arctica grabce.

Abundant. Birds were congregating on 12th August
when half- fledged young still remained in many burrows.

REFERENCES.

1 BEDFORD, Duchess of. “Spring Bird-Notes from various Scottish Islands,’’

Scot. Nat., 1914, pp. 173-181.

la BEDFORD, DUCHESS of. “On Visits paid to the Island of North Rona,”
Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist., 1910, pp. 212-14.

2 Dougall, J. Wilson. “Crossbills on North Rona,” Scot. Nat., 1927, p. 160.

3 Harrisson, T. H. “Resident and Migratory Birds of North Rona, the

Remotest Scottish Island,” Ibis , July 1932, pp. 441-57.

4 Harrisson, T. H. “Numerical Fluctuations of the Great Black-backed Gull

in England and Wales,” Proc. Zool. Soc., London , 1933.

[Does not directly concern Rona birds.]

5 Harvie-Brown, J. A. “Additions to John Swinburne’s List” (see below),

Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc., Edin. (1885-8), ix., pp. 284-99.

6 Swinburne, John. “Notes on the Islands of Sula, or North Barra, and

North Rona,” Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc., Edin. (1883-5), viii., pp. 51-67.

NOTE

The Bark Beetle, Dryocoetes villosus, Fabr., and the
Longicorn Beetle, Phymatodes testaceus, L. ( Callidium
variabilis, L.), in Scotland. — When examining under the bark of
a dead Oak on 16th August 1936, near Tyninghame, East Lothian,
I was fortunate enough to find a considerable number of the Bark
Beetle, D. villosus. Although quite common in the South of
England it appears to get scarcer northwards, and this is the first
record for Scotland.

I was further handed two Longicorn Beetles by Mr David
Russell of Leith, found by him in a Leith timber yard in September.
These proved to be two very distinct forms of the very variable
species Ph. testaceus (C. variabilis'), the one being with yellowish
elytra and the other with the blue elytra referred to by Joy as being
a common form. This species ranges from England south to Notts.
Fowler states that it was reported on one occasion from Scotland
by Dr Sharpe, who did not consider it indigenous but as having
been imported with timber. Its occurrence in this instance can
probably be explained in the same way, but it is impossible
definitely to state whether it would have arrived in foreign timber
or in timber from English sources. It is, however, very interesting
to place on record the second known occurrence of this beetle
in Scotland. — D. K, Kevan,

H

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

BOOK NOTICES

British Grasshoppers and their Allies. A Stimulus to their Study.
By Malcolm Burr, D.Sc., F.R.Ent.S. London : Philip Allan & Co.,
Ltd. Pp. xvi+162, 6 plates, 40 maps, and 56 drawings in the text.
Price 6s. Out of five to six hundred species of Orthoptera occurring in
Europe, only thirty-two are on the British list, while in addition there are
five earwigs. It is surprising how little is known of the distribution and
bionomics of these, and the aim of this book is to bring these much
neglected insects to the notice of all entomologists. As the author says :
“All entomologists could add the Orthoptera to their scope and so
greatly increase our knowledge, and their own pleasure, with -a minimum
of effort.” Throughout the book Dr Burr draws attention to the gaps in
our knowledge of their stridulation, behaviour, life-histories, geographical
distribution, and ecology. The distribution of many of the species is
shown on maps, but we are disappointed to see that the county divisions
used are political and not the more serviceable vice-comital areas of
Watson. Some idea of the lack of observation in the north may be
gathered from the distribution in Scotland of Gryllotalpa , Mecostethus
grossus , and T ettigonia viridissima still based on the ancient records
of Don ( circa 1830). Acrydium bipunctatum L. owes its place on the
British list to two specimens from “ Abernethy ” in the Cambridge
Museum. Records such as these are very unsatisfactory material on
which to base local distribution, and it is hoped that Scottish ento-
mologists will respond generously to Dr Burr’s appeal for information.
The book certainly justifies its sub-title and we heartily recommend this
study to all our readers-

British Animal Tracks. By J. S. R. CHARD. London : C. Arthur
Pearson, Ltd., 80 pp. Price 3s. 6d. net. This is an entertaining book
written with a keen insight into the lives and behaviour of our land
mammals. The volume is divided into two parts. The first deals
with general considerations of tracking, and one is shown how to
deduce the pace, age, sex and physical state of animals from a study
of their footprints. The second part contains a detailed and clearly
illustrated account of the tracks of each species. Two appendices on
how to take plaster casts and how to photograph tracks increase the
practical value of this useful book.

The author has written a fascinating account of British mammals
from an unusual aspect ; his book is a store of interesting information
and should appeal to all naturalists.

HYMENOPTERA ACULEATA FROM N.-W. HIGHLANDS

15

HYMENOPTERA ACULEATA FROM THE
NORTH-WEST HIGHLANDS.

By G. M. Spooner, M.A., Weymouth.

The following records of Aculeate Hymenoptera, obtained
during a tour of Skye and the northern part of the west
mainland coast in June of 1936, are given in full in considera-
tion of the scarcity of data from this area, particularly from
the more extreme north-west. Indeed, as far as can be
ascertained, West Sutherland seems to have been entirely
neglected. In view of our growing knowledge of the insect
fauna of the Scottish Isles, and of the distribution of certain
species and subspecies which are peculiar to them, our
ignorance of the mainland forms in outlying regions is to
be deplored. In addition, the northern limits of the com-
paratively small proportion of British species which range
into the Highlands is still very imperfectly known, particularly
on the more inhospitable western coasts.

Special attention was given to the humble-bees of sub-
genus Agrobombus. Richards (1935) has drawn attention to
some arresting problems which arise when consideration is
given to the distribution of four British species (of which
three, muscorum L., smithianus White, and agrorum F., range
into the area with which we are concerned). If reference
is made to Richards’ discussion, it is at once evident that
further information on the distribution and habits of these
species in the west and north highlands is much to be
desired.

For the purpose of investigating the area as efficiently
as possible in the time available — since either the number
of localities visited or the thoroughness with which each
locality was worked had to be sacrificed — a method of
sampling the Bombus population was adopted. At a chosen
station all Bombus captured or identified on the wing were
recorded, until, in localities in which Bombus were frequent,
the number of specimens reached at least 20. In situations
in which Bombus were scarce, an attempt was made to give
at least two hours’ search. Specimens seen but not identified

i6

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

for certain were also noted ; but these proved a small fraction
of the total and for most purposes can be disregarded.
Twenty-two stations worked, in Skye, Wester Ross, and West
Sutherland, satisfied the above requirements ; but records were
also obtained from eighteen others, including two in Caithness.
The method proved useful for procuring a balanced selection
of localities ; and in subsequent analysis of the data it has
made it possible to abstract readily any correlations that
could have emerged between occurrence of a species and
such factors as altitude, vegetation, latitude, etc. I wish
gratefully to acknowledge the help given me, during the
course of collecting, by my companion, Dr H. B. Moore.

Other aculeates (excluding ants) were collected as occasion
afforded.

In the following list of records the localities are grouped
under their respective comital or vice-comital area. The
latter are indicated by abbreviations. Thus: S. = Skye,
which constitutes the greater part of area 104 (Ebudes N.) ;
W. R. = Wester Ross, area 105; W. S. = West Sutherland,
area 108 ; Ca. = Caithness, area 109. The ordinary numerals
refer to the number of specimens noted, which, in the case
of Bombus (unless otherwise stated), indicate queens.

Apoidea.

Bombus muscorum (L.), subsp. pallidus (Evans). S. :
Dunvegan Castle, 3 ; Bracadale, at 340 ft., 3 ; Drynoch, 4 ;
Glen Brittle, at 950 ft., 1 ; Elgol, 2 ; Beinn na Caillich,
E. slope, 450-500 ft., 2. W. R. : Glencarron Lo., 500 ft., 2 ;
Aultgrishin (coast N. of Gairloch), 5 ; Braemore Forest,
1050 ft. and 1250 ft, 2. W. S. : Stoer, 4; Geodha Chobhair
(coast, 12 miles S. of Cape Wrath), 8; Strath Melness, 1;
Skullomie, Tongue Bay, 12. Ca. : Nybster, 3. E. Sutherland
(107) : Helmsdale, 2. Partial to the flowers of Lotus , and
only once taken on Rhododendron.

Though scarce on the east side, and outnumbered by
agrorum generally, the species seemed well spread along the
western regions of Skye. It was traced up the western side
of the mainland, both inland and in outlying parts of the
coast, being found more plentifully in the extreme north,

HYMENOPTERA ACULEATA FROM N.-W. HIGHLANDS

1 7

where agrorum proved scarce. It appears more inclined to
range into high ground than agrorum, as is indicated by the
following figures, which, though small, show a consistent
trend. The ratios express numbers of muscoi'um to agrorum
in stations grouped according to height above sea-level. The
northernmost localities are excluded.

Above 900 ft. .

• 3

4

350-900 ft.

. 8

15

100-350 ft.

. 8

45

9

Ln

0

p

. 8

7 1

Throughout the district visited the metanotal hairs of
fresh specimens show a relatively bright colour, contrasting
with the pale colouring of those on the collar and scutellum.
In this feature, and others, my whole series conforms well
with Richards’ description of subsp. pallidus, the characteristic
form of the mainland of Ireland and Scotland. In W. Ross
and Skye, however, there is more darkening on the hairs
ventrally, eg. on middle femora and reflexed margin of
1st and 2nd tergites, than is typical.* (One specimen from
W. Skye has very considerable infuscation ventrally.) In
this respect variation is in the direction of the Orkney
subspecies ( orcadensis Richards). But, passing northwards,
one finds this tendency lost. Indeed, the specimens from
Tongue include the most unquestionably typical examples
I procured. There were no indications of a gradation
between pallidus and orcadensis on the north coast ; and
this suggests that the differences of the latter are not purely
climatic, and serve to justify its subspecific status.

Bombus agrorum F. Dumbartons. (99) : E. shore of Loch
Long, 2 on bluebells. Argylls. (98) : Glencroe, 3 visiting
Ulex. S. : abundant through the island from Ardmore Point
to Kyleakin, outnumbering other species (116 recorded out
of total of 244) ; particularly numerous at Dunvegan Castle,
visiting the blossoms of Rubus Idaeus. W. R. : Invershiel ;
Stromemore ; Glencarron Lo. ; Gairloch ; Aultgrishin. W. S. :

* Richards (1935, p. 77) observed that black hairs, on the middle
femora posteriorly, were more numerous in specimens from the
North-West.

223

c

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

Elphin ; Loch Assynt ; Lochinver ; Stoer (i only) ; Tongue
Bay (i only). E. Sutherland (107) : Helmsdale.

The scarcity of records in the extreme north is almost
certainly to be attributed to a general decline of the species,
and not to the nature of the habitats investigated.

It is well known that the form in which the species occurs
in the west highlands northwards, namely var. septentrionalis
Vogt, shows but little dark colouring on the abdominal hairs.
The majority of specimens in the north-west belong to the
more distinctive “ pale-haired ” type, in which black hairs are
only apparent on close inspection. Two examples from
Elgol, W. Skye, are completely devoid of them. Only six
examples, in a series of over ninety, show conspicuous dark
patches on the sides of the 2nd and 3rd tergites, and three
of these are from one locality at the head of Loch Duich,
W. Ross. In spite of their pale colour, there is no difficulty
in distinguishing with the naked eye members of this species
from muscorum. If the abdomen is viewed posteriorly from
a ventral angle, the clothing of the more apical segments
(at least) shows a decided ochreous tinge, contrasting with
the duller or yellowish shade of other pale hairs visible from
this aspect. In addition, segmental tufts of dark or sordid
hairs at the sides often cause conspicuous interruptions in
the continuity of the pale colouring. A very different
impression is given by the uniformly pale yellow clothing
of muscorum.

Bombus donovanellus (K.) ( derhamellus , ruderarius).

S. : Drynoch, 2 ; Elgol, 10. W. R. : Aultgrishin, 4. W. S. :
Elphin, 1 ; Loch Assynt, 1 ; Stoer, 5 ; Geodha Chobhair, 1 ;
Skullomie, Tongue Bay, 1. Mainly restricted to low-lying
localities, on meadowland round crofts or sandy ground on
the coast.

Bombus distinguendus Mor. S. : Broadford, 1. W. S. :
Skullomie, Tongue Bay, 5. Ca. : Nybster, 2. E. Sutherland
(107) : Helmsdale.

Laidlaw did not find this species at Ullapool. It is
evidently scarce along the N.W. coast, becoming more
numerous in the north, in the direction of Caithness.
Duncan (1935) has found it plentiful in the Orkneys.

HYMENOPTERA ACULEATA FROM N.-W. HIGHLANDS

19

Bombus hortorum (L.). Skye, W. Ross, and W.
Sutherland : widely spread, but not found plentifully any-
where, except for one locality in S. W. Skye, on Rhododendron.
One in Skye at 900 ft.

Bombus jonellus (K.) subsp .jonellus. S. : Dunan, 2 ; Glen
Arroch, 1000 ft., 1 ; Broadford Bay, on thrift, 5 ; not met with
on the western part of the island. W. R. : Braemore Forest,
1150 ft., 1. W. S. : moor on coast near Whiten Head, 9 ? ?
and 3 ? ? , on Erica. Ca.: Dunnet Head, 1 ; Dunnet dunes, 1.

All specimens are of typical mainland form. It is
interesting to note that not even in the two extreme northern
localities is there any variation in the direction of subsp.
hebridensis (O. Hebrides) or vogtii (Shetlands).*

Bombus lucorum (L.). Generally distributed in various
habitats from Skye to Caithness, often plentiful. In Cluanie
Forest, W. Ross, one was taken at 2200 ft., and another seen
at the top of a 3000 ft. peak. It was, however, sometimes
scarce or absent in places where other species were numerous
— notably on grass-land and waste ground around croft
holdings.

Bombus soroensis F. S. : Dunvegan Castle, 6 ; Elgol, 5.
W. S. : Lochinver, 2.

Bombus lapidarius (L.). W. R. : Aultgrishin, coast N. of
Gairloch, 2. W. S. : Stoer, 17, predominant species; Geodha
Chobhair, 23, again predominant ; Skullomie, Tongue Bay, 4.
Ca. : Dunnet sand-dunes, 1.

The species, not found in Skye, became increasingly
frequent along the mainland west coast passing northwards,
especially on blown sand deposits bordering sandy bays
and dunes. At Stoer, however, it also occurred freely on
adjoining rocky ground, though absent from similar localities
farther south. It was more noticeably restricted to low
altitudes than other species. These observations have bearing
on Laidlaw’s remarks on the scarcity of lapidarius in the
north-west, and its recent increase.

The absence of certain other species may be noted.
Laidlaw’s experience at Ullapool in 1932 in failing to note
any B. lapponicus was repeated in our case. The general
* See Richards, 1933.

20

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

sparseness of Vaccinium myrtillus throughout the district
covered was considered the probable cause, as Laidlaw
suggested for the Ullapool district. Our failure to discover
any signs of B. smithianus White is referred to below ; and
the area is presumably beyond the northern limits of
B. terrestris. Perhaps, however, the most striking absentees
are species of the genus Psithyrus. In 470 records of
Bombids, cuckoo-bees are completely lacking.

Osrnia parietina Curt.* — S. : Elgol, one abraded ? flying
over ruined wall on undercliff, 18th June. There seems to
be only a single previously published record for Scotland.^
Nomada flavoguttata (K.) — W. R. : Strath Cluanie, 1200 ft.,
2 S' 6 ; Inverinate. W. S. : Lochinver, 4 ? ?. No doubt
here inquiline on Andrena subopaca. Andrena fucata Sm. —
S. : Elgol, <$ . Andrena tarsata Nyl. — W. R. : Aultgrishin,
both sexes numerous on cliff slopes, 20th June. W. S. :
Lochinver, both sexes, 22nd June; Loch Assynt, both sexes,
24th June. Andrena subopaca Nyl. — W. R. : Inverinate, ?.
W. S. : Lochinver, 2 ? ? . Halictus fratellus Perez. — W. R. :
Inverinate, Loch Duich, ? ? at roadside bank. Halictus
leucopus (K.) — W. R. : Inverinate, roadside bank. W. S. :
Lochinver, $ . Halictus sp. allied to smeathmanellus (K.)f —
S : coast at Elgol.

Sphecoidea.

Crossocerus tarsatus (Shuck.) {palmipes auctt.). — W. S. :
Lochinver, ? .

Vespoidea.

Vespa sylvestris Scop. — S. : Dunan.

Vespa norvegica F. — S. : Dunan ; Kirkibost.

Vespa rufa L. — S. : Kirkibost; Dunvegan Castle.

Ancistrocerus pictus (Curt.). — S. : Elgol, $ ; Glen Arroch,
at 800 ft., $ . W. R. : Aultgrishin, males freely along the coast,
20th June, and mud-cells irregularly placed on loose stones
and boulders, in one case freshly stocked. W. S. : Stoer,
freely along the rocky shore, some visiting thrift, as well as
on rocky ground inland, both sexes ; Geodha Chobhair,

* See E. Saunders, Ent. Mo. Mag., 36 (1900), p. 51.
f See R. C. L. Perkins, Ent. Mo. Mag., 7i (1935), p. 105.

HYMENOPTERA ACULEATA FROM N.-W. HIGHLANDS 21

distributed along the cliff-tops, 10-12 miles S. of Cape Wrath.
Evidently a widely spread species in the north-west, nesting
on exposed rock surfaces on the rocky coast and in hill
country.

Psammochares spissus (Schd.). S. : near Kyleakin, $ ,
1 2th June.

P sammochares nigerrimus (Scop.) ( niger pars). S. : Elgol,
$ $ on grassy ground on undercliff, etc., 18th June. W. R. :
Aultgrishin, ^ on cliff slopes, 20th June. W. S. : Loch
Assynt, $ $ on rough ground by roadside, 24th June.
Easterness (96) : Lochness, £ roadside, 29th June. Probably
well distributed in the north. Older Scottish records of
niger may thus include this species.

P sammochares trivialis (Dhlb.) ( gibbus L.). W. R. :
Aultgrishin, one

Priocnemis minor (Zett.). W. S. : Lochinver, 22nd June,
a number of $ $ on bare patch by roadside ; one ? on
cliff-top 10 miles S. of Cape Wrath, 25th June.

Chrysis ignita (L.). W. R. : Aultgrishin, accompanying
A. p ictus.

General Remarks.

Persistence of Mainland Types in the North-West. — Nine
species of Bombus were traced round the north-west coast.
Of these, two, distinguendus and lapidarius , are scarce in
Skye and W. Ross, but become more plentiful in the north.
Among the others, agrorum was found to decline in the
north, and possibly the same is true for soroensis. It is
of some interest that two species, muscorum and jonellus ,
which are represented by distinctive types in the Outer Isles,
maintain the typical mainland form on the north coast, and
were not found to show any variation in the direction of the
island forms.

Poverty of the Aculeate Fauna. — The small number of
solitary bees and wasps recorded is not solely the result
of sporadic collecting. It largely reflects the well-known
progressive decline in number of species passing northwards
in Great Britain. The real poverty of species was so
strikingly apparent in certain localities as to provide valid

22

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

“ negative” data. Thus at Stoer, north of Lochinver, there are
expanses of sandy ground, providing various adequate sites
for burrows, and supporting a variety of flowering plants.
There was also no apparent scarcity of dipterous and arachnid
prey. Yet, on 22nd-23rd June, in ideal weather, not a single
burrowing aculeate (other than Bombus) was observed.
Exactly similar conditions were experienced on sheltered
sandy ground at Geodha Chobhair, 24th-2 5th June, and again
on Dunnet sand-dunes, 28th June. It is likely, of course,
that one or two species may appear later in the season.

The smithianus-muscorum Problem . — Bombus muscorum ,
though seen to be well established along the west and north
coast, does not occur in the Outer Hebrides or Shetlands,
where it is replaced by the allied smithianus (see Richards,
1 935)* The curious “fringing” distribution of the latter
species is compared by Richards to the suggestive parallel
afforded by two groups of voles. It looks very much as if
muscorum^ when it originally spread through Britain, somehow
displaced smithianus , which survived only in such outlying
regions of its former range as had become geographically
inaccessible by the time muscorum arrived. At the same
time account has to be taken of a single specimen captured
recently in S.W. Ross. Richards suggests that the species
still survives on higher ground in Skye, W. Ross, and
Westerness, implying that competition with mainland Agro-
bombus may here be relaxed.

Some attempt was made in Skye to test the latter
hypothesis. No smithianus were found. With increasing
altitude individuals of all Bombus become scarcer, and an
adequate search would take up much time. But it is perhaps
suggestive that no species were met with on higher ground
which did not occur freely in suitable low-lying habitats, and
that, moreover, muscorum was found to penetrate upwards
as far as any species. It may, of course, be that Skye is a
peculiarly unsuitable area for this investigation, since the
high ground in the region of 1000-1500 ft. comprises mainly
sharply rising slopes, which are typically barren, stony, and
windswept, and which, before the heathers are in bloom,
support very few flowering plants suitable for Bombus.

hymenoptera aculeata from n.-w. highlands

23

In the less explored north-west, again, no evidence of the
occurrence of smithianus was procured. Unless a different
state of affairs is revealed on the mainland south of Skye,
it seems that smithianus is at best a very scarce species in the
area through which muscorum and agrorum are distributed.
There is, indeed, nothing to show that its status in these
regions depends on anything more than occasional chance
dispersal from the islands which constitute its headquarters.

The geographical segregation of the two species
undoubtedly presents a peculiar problem. It is, after all,
only necessary for a single smithianus queen to stray land-
wards to give the possibility of the growth of a mainland
colony (and vice versa). Even if the Minch provides an
effective barrier for such dispersal, it is unlikely that Bombus
do not get across the narrow channel which separates Coll.

REFERENCES.

Duncan, Walter. 1935. “Humble-Bees of S. Ronaldshay, Orkney,”
Scot. Nat., 1935, pp. 65-66.

Laidlaw, W. B. R. 1933- “Entomological Notes from Ullapool,” /did.,
1933, PP- 55-59-

RlCHARDS, O. W. 1933. “Variation in Bombus jonellus Kirby (Hymenoptera,
Bombidae),” Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 12, 59-66.

Richards, O. W. 1935. “ Bombus muscorum (Linnaeus) and B. smithianus

White (Hym.),” Trans. Soc. British Entomology, 2 (i), 73-86.

BOOK NOTICE

Aquariums and Pish Ponds. By A. LAURENCE WELLS. Warne’s
Information Series, London and New York : Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd.,
64 pp. Price is. 6d. The keeping of aquaria and out-door ponds has
become increasingly popular in recent years and this little book outlines
the general principles to be followed by the beginner. There are
many practical hints from the author’s own experience regarding the
proper balancing of aquaria and ponds. An illustrated chapter on the
plants for the pond and aquarium enhances the value of this modestly
priced book.

24

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

Peacock Butterflies ( Vanessa id) in Dumfriesshire. —

The occurrence of the Peacock Butterfly in Scotland is somewhat
uncommon, and I therefore think it worth recording the following
records for Dumfriesshire, 1936.

(1) 14th September 1936. Two on Buddleia at White Hill,
Lockerbie (Mrs Bell-Irving).

(2) Second and third week September. One or two with Red
Admirals {V. atalanta ), in garden at Woodlea, Moniaive (Mrs Hall).

(3) Second and third week September. One in garden, Dunesslin,
Dunscore (Mrs Milne). The latter insect was seen by my wife, who
knows the insect well. Mrs Bell-Irving also knows the insect well,
and Mrs Hall gave me a very good description, so that I have no
hesitation in accepting all three records. — A. B. Duncan, Closeburn.

Ringing Puffins : Good Percentage of Recoveries on
Breeding Ground. — Of 120 adult Puffins (. Fratercula arctica
grabce) we marked on an island in Orkney this summer, no less
than 17 bore rings of former years; but unfortunately after two
years’ wear most of the numbers are unreadable, if not worn quite
away, due to attrition against the rocks. Eleven of these were
marked as adults in 1935, and one had been marked in a previous
year, the ring there being too worn to read. Two others were
probably marked as adults in 1934, but the other four rings were
quite unreadable, two of them being quite blank. In 1935 out
of 72 marked, 9 bore rings. Two of these were quite blank, but
the other seven were marked as adults in 1928, two in 1929, 1930,
and three in 1934.

1463 Puffins in all have been marked with rings on this
particular island, but none recovered at all in their winter quarters. —
H. W. Robinson, M.B.O.U., A.M.A.O.U., Lancaster.

Pintail in Sutherland. — In the Scottish Naturalist,
No. 222, 1936, p. 163, your correspondent reports watching

Pintail with a young duck on a Sutherland loch.

In British Birds , vol. xxvi., p. 165, a juvenile Pintail was
mentioned by Dr W. Norman May, which he had seen as a skin
while in Sutherland in the spring of 1933.

I also saw the bird which had been shot with another in
Caithness in the first week in August 1931.

The bird still had large patches of nesting down all over its
body, through which the feathers were pushing their way.

There was no doubt that it was a local bird. — Mary G. S. Best,
Andover.

BIRD NOTES FROM SHETLAND

25

BIRD NOTES FROM SHETLAND.

By George Waterston, Midlothian Ornithological Club.

Few notes have appeared in recent years on passage
migrants and other birds in the Shetlands. Much interesting
information has been accumulating lately in these islands, but
no one seems to have taken the trouble to publish these
records in any scientific journal.

Accompanied by Mr D. Q. Sandeman, I visited Whalsay,
Lerwick, and Sumburgh in September 1936. On Whalsay
we were introduced, through the kindness of Mr R. Stuart
Bruce of Symbister House, to a very capable young orni-
thologist, Mr Tom Bruce, jun., who has been gathering notes
and specimens for quite a number of years. Mr Samuel
Bruce at Lerwick also kindly gave us permission to examine
his collection, in which are a number of specimens hitherto
unrecorded.

I am greatly indebted to these gentlemen for permission
to publish details of these records and also notes of interest
on bird-life in the Shetlands generally.

ROOK ( Corvus f. frugilegus). — According to Mr Samuel
Bruce this bird is an occasional winter visitor as well as a
bird of passage.

Rose-coloured Pastor (. Pastor roseus). — One seen at
Mid Yell on 13th June 1935 by Mr Charles J. Inkster. An
adult male was seen in the gardens at Sumburgh House on
1st July 1936 by Mr George Stout.

Greenland Redpoll ( Carduelis flammea rostrata). — I
examined a specimen of this race which was obtained on
Whalsay by Mr Tom Bruce on 14th May 1936. Mr Norman
B. Kinnear kindly confirmed the identification. (This is
apparently the second record for Shetland.)

Lesser Redpoll ( Carduelis flammea cabaret). — A
specimen was obtained near Lerwick on 6th October 1936 by
Mr Samuel Bruce, who kindly sent it to me for examination.

Scarlet Grosbeak ( Carpodacus e. erythrinus). — Mr
Samuel Bruce has records of four or five specimens from
Lerwick. This autumn two were seen on 6th September,
223 D

26

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

two on 13th September and one on 4th October 1936. (This
species has not been recorded from Shetland previously,
although it occurs almost regularly on autumn passage on
Fair Isle.)

Tree Sparrow ( Passer m. montanus ). — According to
Mr Samuel Bruce, the colony which used to exist on Noss
is now defunct. A specimen of this species was obtained on
Whalsay on 20th May 1933 by Mr Tom Bruce, jun.

Ortolan Bunting ( Emberiza hortulanci). — According
to Mr Samuel Bruce, occurs at Lerwick almost regularly
each year on double passage. On Whalsay, a fine $ was
secured on 5th May 1936, and another on 28th August 1935
by Mr Tom Bruce, jun.

Rustic Bunting ( Emberiza rustica). — A £ specimen
obtained at Ness of Sound on nth October 1936 was kindly
sent to me for examination by Mr Samuel Bruce.

Reed Bunting ( Emberiza s. schceniclus). — According to
Mr Samuel Bruce, is a regular passage migrant at Lerwick
and Whalsay. (Hitherto regarded as “ O.P.”)

Eastern Short-toed Lark ( Calandrella brachydactyla
longipennis). — Mr Tom Bruce, jun., showed me a specimen
of a Short-toed Lark which he had obtained some years ago
on Whalsay, and as there was a doubt as to whether it was
brachydactyla or longipennis , I sent it down to the British
Museum, where it was kindly identified by Mr N. B. Kinnear
as undoubtedly longipennis. I have obtained definite
corroborative evidence that this bird was shot on Whalsay,
but the date is wanting. (Hitherto unrecorded in Shetland.)

Wood Lark ( Lullula a. arbor ea). — Two specimens were
obtained near Skaw, Whalsay, by Mr Samuel Bruce — one
on 6th and the other on 27th October 1921 — the sexes were
undetermined. I examined a specimen in Mr Tom Bruce’s
collection which was obtained on Whalsay on 18th March
1936. (Hitherto unrecorded in Shetland.)

Shore Lark ( Eremophila alpestris flavd). — A and a ?
were obtained on Whalsay on 7th October 1933 by Mr Tom
Bruce, jun. I examined both these birds in his collection.
(Hitherto unrecorded in Shetland.)

Richard’s Pipit ( Anthus r. richardi). — A specimen of

BIRD NOTES FROM SHETLAND

27

this race was obtained on Whalsay on 7th September 1928
by Mr Tom Bruce, jun. I examined it carefully with
Mr Samuel Bruce, there being no doubt as to its correct
identification. (Hitherto unrecorded in Shetland.)

Tree Pipit ( Anthus t. trivialis). — According to Mr
Samuel Bruce, is a regular passage migrant — more common
in spring than in autumn. (Hitherto regarded as “ O.”)

Blue-headed Wagtail (. Motacilla f flava). — A small
flock of four were seen on Whalsay on 4th September 1936
by D. Q. Sandeman, Tom Bruce, and myself.

(Black-headed Wagtail (. Motacilla flava feldegg). — Mr Tom
Bruce, jun., obtained perfect views at close range of a small
yellow Wagtail with yellow underparts and jet black head on
Whalsay on 20th May 1936. He feels certain that it was this
race, but unfortunately the bird was not examined in the hand.)

Yellow Wagtail ( Motacilla flava rayi). — One was
seen on Whalsay on 14th May 1936 by Mr Tom Bruce, jun.

Continental Great Tit ( Parus m. major). — Mr Tom
Bruce has a specimen in his collection which was obtained
on 15th October 1932. Mr R. Stuart Bruce informs me
that a pair spent the winter 1935-1936 around Symbister
House, Whalsay.

Lesser Grey Spirike ( Lanius minor). — I examined a
specimen of this race in Mr Tom Bruce’s collection which
was taken on Whalsay on 14th September 1929. (Hitherto
unrecorded in Shetland.)

Spotted Flycatcher ( Muscicapa s. striata). — According
to Mr Samuel Bruce, is almost regular on double passage
around Lerwick. Is also recorded in Whalsay. (Hitherto
regarded as “ O.”)

Pied Flycatcher ( Muscicapa h. hypoleuca). — According
to Mr Samuel Bruce, this bird is a regular double passage
migrant. We saw numbers on Whalsay on 4th September,
and at Sumburgh on 6th and 7th September 1936. (Hitherto
regarded as “ O.P.”)

Red-breasted Flycatcher (. Muscicapa p. parva).—
According to Mr Samuel Bruce, this species is occasional in
autumn, occurring at Lerwick and Whalsay. It has not been
recorded on spring passage. (Hitherto regarded as “O.”)

28

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

Reed Warbler {Acrocephalus s. scirpaceus). — I examined
a specimen of this species, which had been obtained on
Whalsay on nth May 1936, in Mr Tom Bruce’s collection.
Mr Samuel Bruce also showed me a specimen taken at
Mountfield, Lerwick, in September 1930.

Icterine Warbler ( Hypolais icterina). — I examined
a specimen, which had been obtained on Whalsay on 20th
August 1934, in Mr Tom Bruce’s collection. This is the
second recorded occurrence of this species in Shetland, the
previous record being of one obtained on 15th May 1910.
(. A.N.H.S . 1911, 183.)

Barred Warbler ( Sylvia n. nisoria). — According to
Mr Samuel Bruce, this species is a regular passage migrant
in autumn at Lerwick, but has only once been seen on spring
passage. It has been noted on Whalsay in autumn. I
examined a specimen which Mr Samuel Bruce kindly sent
me which was obtained at Lerwick on 14th October 1936.

Siberian Lesser Whitethroat ( Sylvia curruca
affinis). — Mr Samuel Bruce obtained a specimen of this race,
a young male, at Lerwick on 3rd October 1936, which he
kindly sent to me for confirmation. I am indebted to
Mr N. B. Kinnear for kindly substantiating the identification.
This is the first reported occurrence of this species in
Shetland, although it has been noted frequently on Fair Isle.

Iceland Redwing ( Turdus musicus coburni ). — Mr
Samuel Bruce kindly sent me two specimens of this race
for examination, a $ (wing, 126 mm.) obtained on 13th
December 1936 and a ? (wing, 120 mm.) on 31st October
1936. (Hitherto unrecorded in Shetland.)

Blackbird ( Turdus m. merula). — Mr R. Stuart Bruce
writes: “Two pairs of Blackbirds are building nests in the
wall of our park — there were none here when I was a boy.”
Mr W. Laidlaw M‘Dougall states that they are increasing
as a breeding species at Sumburgh ; and Mr Samuel Bruce
reports an increase at Lerwick.

Whinchat ( Saxicola r. rubetra). — This species is a
regular spring passage migrant, but is rare in autumn.
(Hitherto regarded as “ O.P.”)

STONECHAT ( Saxicola torquata hibernans ). — A number

BIRD NOTES FROM SHETLAND

29

of these birds were seen on Whalsay during the last week
in March 1936. Mr Samuel Bruce regards this species as
an occasional passage migrant at Lerwick. (Hitherto
regarded as “ O.”)

Black Redstart ( Phoenicurus ochrurus gibraltariensis). —
Occurs regularly in autumn on Whalsay, and occasionally in
spring. (Hitherto regarded as “ O.P.”)

Black-bellied Dipper ( Cinclus c. cinclus'). — Mr Tom
Bruce obtained a fine male beside Vats Houle Loch, Whalsay,
on 30th March 1936 which I examined in his collection.
The previous single record of the occurrence of this race
was in 1898 (Harvie-Brown’s Fauna , 78) when a specimen
was obtained at Spiggie on 27th November.

HOOPOE ( Upupa e. epops ). — There is a stuffed specimen
in one of the crofts on Whalsay, which was obtained on the
island — no date given.

ROLLER ( Coracias g. garrulus). — I examined a fine
specimen of this species which had been obtained at Brough,
Whalsay, in the autumn of 1930. I obtained corroborative
evidence that it had been got there. Harvie-Brown, in
his Fauna , discredited Saxby’s reported occurrences which
appeared in the latter’s Birds of Shetland.

KINGFISHER ( Alcedo atthis ispida ). — A Kingfisher was
seen at Symbister, Whalsay, on 18th August 1936 by several
reliable observers, including Mr D. J. Williamson, who
reported the occurrence in the Shetland News. This is the
first time a Kingfisher has been seen in Shetland.

Green Woodpecker ( Picus viridis subsp. ?). — A
specimen of this species was obtained on 20th September
1929; but it was most unfortunately destroyed by a cat and
the remains were not found, despite an assiduous search.
Mr Tom Bruce and Mr R. Stuart Bruce both examined it
and are positive of their identification.

WRYNECK ( Jynx t. torquilld). — Mr Tom Bruce reports
two specimens from Whalsay — one on 2nd September 1934
and one on 8th May 1936.

CUCKOO ( Cuculus c. canorus). — Mr Samuel Bruce informs
me that to his knowledge this bird has never nested in

30

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

Shetland, but “he has seen young birds on the wing with
down on their heads.”

Rough-legged Buzzard ( Buteo l. lagopus). — Mr Samuel
Bruce was sent the remains of a specimen which had been
picked up dead on the N.W. side of Whalsay on 25th October
1936.

Bittern ( Botaurus s. stellaris ). — The fourth Bittern to be
recorded in the Shetlands was picked up dead by Mr William
Hunter, jun., at the Vaddle of Skellister, South Nesting, in
February 1936. The specimen is now in the Anderson
Institute, Lerwick.

SHELDUCK ( Tadorna tadorna :). — According to Mr W.
Laidlaw M‘Dougall, this species now nests regularly on the
links at Sumburgh. During the summer of 1936 at least
six pairs nested and there were plenty non-breeding birds.

TEMMINCK’S Stint ( Calidris temminckii). — I examined
a specimen of this species in Mr Tom Bruce’s collection
which had been obtained on Whalsay on 20th September
1921. (Hitherto unrecorded in Shetland.)

Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa l limosa). — Mr Tom
Bruce, together with Mr Samuel Bruce, saw one on Whalsay
on 7th October 1934.

WlllMBREL ( ’ Numenius p . phceopus). — According to Mr
Samuel Bruce, this species has now become very rare as
a nesting species and he attributes the cause of this to the
increase of the Bonzie.

Great Snipe ( Capella media). — Mr Tom Bruce has
obtained single birds of this species on 6th September 1933
and 6th September 1935. He also saw one on Whalsay on
29th March 1936. (In British Birds , xxix. 174, Mr G. K.
Yeates is reported as having shot one on 5th September 1935
at Sumburgh.)

Black-headed Gull ( Larus r. ridibundus'). — This
species is increasing rapidly as a breeding bird in the
Shetlands. In 1922 they arrived to breed for the first time on
Whalsay. In 1935 there were 90 nests and in 1936, 150 nests.
This colony is on a small island in the middle of the Loch of
Huxter — the island measuring only 40 x 30 feet approximately.

GLAUCOUS Gull ( Larus hyperboreus). — A single bird

BIRD NOTES FROM SHETLAND

3i

remained throughout the summer of 1936 in Lerwick harbour
and was frequently observed by Mr Samuel Bruce.

Great Bustard ( Otis t. tarda). — Mr Samuel Bruce
kindly showed me a ? specimen of this species which had
been obtained at Hillswick on 19th May 1936. (This is the
first record of this species for Shetland.)

Spotted Crake ( Porzana porzana).— \ was shown two
specimens of this species which were obtained on Whalsay ;
no dates given.

Red Grouse {Lagopus s. scoticus ). — According to Mr R.
Stuart Bruce, efforts have been made to introduce this species
in the Shetlands but without success.

Partridge (. Perdix p. perdix). — I am indebted to Mr R.
Stuart Bruce for particulars regarding the introduction of
partridges in Shetland. Mr Bruce has in his possession a
letter from Brigadier William M‘Intosh, dated April 1742,
from Edinburgh Castle, saying that he “ is sending four
brace to Delting, where he hopes they will do well, and
provide sport for the gentlemen of the County — who ought
to have the same pleasures as gentlemen further south.”

The Grasshopper ( Acrydlum bipunctatum L.) in Perth-
shire.— In the Scottish Naturalist for March-April 1935, I
appealed to naturalists in Scotland to watch for the northern form
Acrydium bipunctatwn L., so far known from these islands only from
two specimens from Abernethy in the Cambridge Museum and one
without data in the British Museum.

Many entomologists have been good enough to respond, and I
have received specimens of Acrydium from Inverness-shire, from
Barra, and from Kintyre, but all of the common Central European
form which we are obliged to call A. vittatum (Zett.), which is
common throughout Great Britain.

Now at last I am glad to report that Mr A. Rodger Waterston
has found it in Clackmannan Forest, in south Perthshire, where on
14th June 1936 he took eight males and five females. This is
very gratifying, and I hope will encourage collectors to work out
the distribution and relationship of these two closely allied species.
The antennal segments in the true A. bipunctatum are so short and
knotted that, once seen, they are recognised without fail. If there
is any feeling of hesitation, one may be sure that the specimen
examined is A. vittatum. — Malcolm Burr, Dorney, Windsor.

32

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

Herring Gulls feeding on Starfish — For ten or more years
the Herring Gull ( Larus argentatus Pontopp.) has been known to
feed on starfish, but nothing appears to have been published on
the way in which it is done.

The starfish is a radiate animal. The upper surface is armed
with spines which are directed obliquely towards the apex of each
ray. When the finger is rubbed along the ray from base to apex
the surface feels smooth, but if the ray is rubbed in the opposite
direction the surface proves to be disagreeably rough. The problem
presented to the Herring Gull is to swallow an animal of this
description in such a way that no ray travels down the tender gullet
with the apex leading. The ancestors of the Herring Gull have
solved the problem, having evidently long since discovered that
if the attempt is made to swallow a starfish whole, the result is
disastrous, since it is impossible to deflect all the rays sufficiently to
avoid the sharp spines.

The five-rayed star, Asterias rubens L., is seized by the base of
a ray and shaken violently till the ray separates from the rest of the
star. The detached ray is then swallowed base first. The. gull
now seizes the star at the place where the ray broke off and proceeds
to engulf the starfish. Thus all the rays are swallowed base first.
This is characteristic.

The sunstar, Solaster papposus L., has more numerous but
shorter rays. They are armed in the same manner as those of
Asterias. The gull takes hold of one or more rays and shakes the
star violently until they break off. These rays are individually
swallowed base first. The star is next seized by the part where the
rays were broken away and is engulfed, all the rays passing into the
gullet with their bases leading. If the sunstar is a very large one,
the rays are shaken off one by one and swallowed base first, the
disc being left uneaten.

The Herring Gull has also another method of dealing with the
sunstar. The bird picks a hole in the disc and through the hole
cleans out the interior of the disc and the rays. A mere shell
remains, quite intact except for the entrance-hole.

The interesting feature of these observations is the perfection of
the reactions to a difficult subject. There is no fumbling, no trial-
and-error behaviour. Birds of the year, in November, are as
competent as the adults and know exactly what to do. Yet,
starfish cannot often come in the Herring Gull’s way, as it is only
after very severe storms that starfish in any quantity are cast up on
the beach. — J. M. Dewar, M.D., Edinburgh.

JAS. C. GRAHAM,

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CONTENTS

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Editorial ....... i

Notes on the Status of Birds in Scotland in 1936 — Evelyn V.

Baxter and Leonora Jeffrey Rintoul ... 3

Summer Bird Notes from North Rona — John A. Ainslie and

Robert Atkinson, B.A. . . . . 7

Hymenoptera Aculeata from the North-West Highlands — G. M.

Spooner, M.A. . . . . . .15

Bird Notes from Shetland — George Waterston . . .25

Book Notices . . . . . . . 14, 23

Notes :

Bottle-nosed Whale ashore in Islay — A. C. Stephen, 5 ; Storm-
Petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus (L.), in Edinburgh — Bruce
Campbell, 6 ; Mottled Hairworm, Gordius villoti (Rosa), in
Dumfries — A. R. Waterston , 6 ; Ballan Wrasse in Banff —
Henry Wood, 6 ; A Rare Fly, Ectinocera borealis Zett. (Dipt.), in
Dumfriesshire— fas. Murray, 6 ; The Bark Beetle, Dryoccetes
villosus , Fabr., and the Longicorn Beetle, Phymatodes
testaceus , L. ( Callidium variabilis, L.), in Scotland — D. K.
Kevan , 13 ; Peacock Butterflies ( Vanessa io ) in Dumfriesshire
— A. Bl Duncan, 24 ; Ringing Puffins : Good Percentage
of Recoveries on Breeding Ground — H. W. Robinson, 24 ;
Pintail in Sutherland — Mary G. S . Best, 24 ; The Grasshopper
(Acrydium bipunctatum L.) in Perthshire — Malcolm Burr, 31 :
Herring Gulls feeding on Starfish — J. M. Dewar, 32.

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EVERY NATURALIST SHOULD READ

The following major articles which have appeared in recent

numbers of The Scottish Naturalist : —

Scottish Insect Immigration Records.

Notes on Highland Diptera. (Illustrated.)

Ferrets and Polecats.

Notes on Whales stranded on the Scottish Coast. (Illustrated.)

Isle of May Bird Observatory.

The Natural History of South Rona. (Illustrated.)

The Occurrence of Gammarus in Scottish Waters.

Notes from Gairloch in Wester Ross.

Scottish Sand-eels.

Further Notes on the Parasites of the Magpie Moth.

Land Planarians of the British Isles.

Lesser Redpoll in Midlothian.

Isle of May Bird Observatory Report.

The Eider in Sutherland and Shetland.

Notes on the Birds of Loch and Forest. (Illustrated.)

Wild and Domestic Cat compared. (Illustrated.)

Kingfishers breeding in Juvenile Plumage.

As well as numerous shorter notices of interesting events in the
Wild Life of Scotland.

Printed and Published in Great Britain by Oliver and Boyd Ltd., Tweeddale Court, Edinburgh
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(. Authors are responsible for ?iomenclature used.)

The Scottish Naturalist

No. 224] 1937 [March-April

EDITORIAL

THE SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB.

We are pleased to state that the response to the appeal
for members for this newly-formed Club has exceeded all
expectations. There was a large attendance at the inaugural
meeting held in Edinburgh on 14th January, and the total
membership now exceeds 140, a most encouraging start.

The modern trend towards co-operative work in orni-
thology has shown the need for some central meeting-place
where Scottish ornithologists can forgather to discuss problems
affecting the bird-life of their country, and we wish this new
organisation the success it deserves.

English ornithologists are fortunate in having regular
meetings of the British Ornithologists’ Club. London, how-
ever, is too far away for the majority of people living in
Scotland, and there would appear to be great scope for this
new Club.

Miss L. J. Rintoul, in her lecture at the First Annual
Meeting, drew attention to various problems which confronted
ornithologists in Scotland, such as the decrease of Black
Game and the Corn Bunting in certain districts, and the
increase, on the other hand, of such species as the Lesser
Redpoll and the Fulmar Petrel. The status of birds is
constantly fluctuating, and she stressed the value of keeping
regular notes, not only on rare birds but also on the common
species, the status of which in many cases is very insufficiently
worked out.

Now that observers in Scotland can be co-opted into
investigating such questions, our future knowledge should be
greatly increased.

224

E

34

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

We note with satisfaction that the Council have made
plans to conduct an Investigation into the Distribution of the
Magpie in Scotland. We feel sure that the results of this
should prove of great interest, and we hope that all ornith-
ologists will support the enquiry and send in their notes.

The Scottish Naturalist has been adopted as the
Official Organ of the Club, and notices of Club activities
will be inserted in our columns from time to time.

We invite anyone interested to submit notes and articles
on bird-life for publication. It is essential that no valuable
records should be lost and we would like to stress the
necessity of reporting these as soon as possible.

Full details regarding the Club will be found in the
Official Section on page 59, and anyone wishing to join
should apply to the Honorary Secretary, Mr George
Waterston, 27 Inverleith Terrace, Edinburgh.

Psyllinse (Hemiptera-Homoptera) in Dumfriesshire. —

Having given some attention to the local Psyllinae, and having
Dr Harrison’s remarks in mind (Scot. Nat. 1936, p. 120), it may
be worth while recording the species met with. Aphalara caltha
Linn., local at Nutberry Moss and not common, in June. A. exilis
W. and M., sweeping under fir trees, scarce. Psyllopsis fraxinicola
Forst., local but plentiful where it occurs. P. fraxini Linn, is also
local on ash and not rare. I have found it most abundant on
young trees. Psylla peregrina Forst., common in the Gretna
district on hawthorn in spring. P. ahii Linn, and P. forsteri Flor.
occur together on alder and generally in plenty. P. betula Linn.,
very local on birch and not plentiful. I have only met with it in
two localities in the Gretna district. P. melanoneura , Forst., here
and there common on hawthorn in spring. P. nigrita , Zett., local,
on firs in winter and spring. I have also obtained it from ulex.
P. spartii Guer., not uncommon on broom in summer. Arytana
genista Latr., common on broom in spring and autumn. It varies
greatly in colour. Trioza remota Forst., Nutberry, on oak in
October, scarce. T. urticce Linn., abundant everywhere on nettles
from June to August. T velutina Forst., local and rare. I have
several times beaten it from nettles in June and August. Livia
juncorum Latr., local on rushes in autumn. I have found it in
flood refuse from the River Kirtle in February. Rhinocola erica Curt.,
locally common on heather in summer. — Jas. Murray, Gretna.

THE AVIFAUNA OF DUDDINGSTON LOCH, MIDLOTHIAN 35

THE AVIFAUNA OF DUDDINGSTON LOCH,
MIDLOTHIAN.

By William Serle, M.B., Ch.B., M.B.O.U.

In November 1926, the Committee reporting on the new
Bird Sanctuary at Duddingston Loch, after describing the
measures they were taking to increase the bird population
of the Sanctuary, state : “It is foreseen that in the course

of time the changes wrought through these efforts may alter
considerably the local topography of the Sanctuary, especially
in the region skirting the Loch ; and that at the same time
the bird population is also likely to alter as regards numbers,
variety and relative proportions.” This article deals with the
present distribution of birds at Duddingston Loch Sanctuary,
and reviews briefly the changes in distribution during the
last ten years — January 1927 to December 1936 — and
attempts to analyse the factors controlling that distribution.

Duddingston Loch has an area of nineteen acres. The
Loch is sheltered to the south and west by a reed-bed eleven
and a half acres in extent. The remaining ten acres of the
Sanctuary are made up of marsh and rough meadowland,
and the latter supports, besides some old timber, a variety
of trees and shrubs planted during the last ten years.

A feature of the bird-life of the Sanctuary is the number
and the variety of the Ducks. Of the surface-feeders
Mallard ( Anas p . platyrhyncha ) are the most numerous.
There are now approximately twenty-five pairs of breeding
Mallard on the Loch. The breeding population has more
than doubled in ten years, and further, the number of broods
of duckling hatched and the size of the broods are pro-
portionately much greater than in former years. Natural
enemies of the young ducks — notably the Lesser Black-
backed and other Gulls and ground vermin flourish as in
the past, but the pike have been greatly reduced by
systematic netting on several occasions, and by Cormorants,
but chiefly Goosanders, which during the last four years have
become regular winter visitors at the Loch, where they fish
industriously and successfully. The increase of breeding

36

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

birds is most likely due to the peace they enjoy at the
breeding season now that the public are rigidly excluded
from the Sanctuary.

Towards the end of July, the number of Mallard is
augmented by non-resident Duck going into eclipse plumage
seeking the absolute security of the Sanctuary, up to three
hundred birds being observed at this time ; and about fifty
pairs of Mallard winter on the Loch, the number varying —
frequently with weather changes — from day to day and from
week to week. Twenty years ago, when relentless Duck-
shooting was practised at the Loch, and people had free
access at all seasons, the winter Mallard population was at
times only two or three pairs. The astonishing increase in
the number of Ducks of this and other species wintering on
the Loch is due in my opinion to the exclusion of human
beings from the lochside. Freshwater Ducks are timid and
resent the proximity of man, and at Duddingston they have
taken full advantage of the seclusion and protection afforded
them by the Sanctuary. Conditions of food and shelter
have not altered ; but this remarkable change in the status
of certain species of Duck at the Loch may, in some measure,
be a reflection of changes of status of the same species of
Duck, observed in the Forth Area of recent years.

The breeding Mallard are resident throughout the year,
and from the early days of January onwards show an
increasing attachment to their respective territories.

Wigeon (. Mareca penelope) were occasional winter visitors
from 1927 to 1934. In 1934 three or four birds were on the
Loch during September and October: in 1935 six Wigeon
appeared on 21st September and three or four birds
remained on the Loch till the end of December when the
Loch froze : in 1936 they again appeared in September, and
at the end of December ten Wigeon were still daily at
the Loch. Throughout the day, they feed industriously
on the aquatic vegetation in certain well-defined areas of
open water.

The Shoveller ( Spatula clypeata) was noted regularly at
the spring and autumn migrations in the years 1927-29.
From 1930 to 1932 I have no personal records of Shoveller at

THE AVIFAUNA OF DUDDINGSTON LOCH, MIDLOTHIAN 37

the Loch. From 1933 to 1936 this Duck was again present
during the spring and autumn months and less frequently
during the winter. Nine were noted on 10th July 1936.
Like the Wigeon this bird is a diurnal feeder on the Loch.

Two pairs of Pintail ( Dafila a. acuta ) were noted in
January 1928: a pair were present throughout January and
February 1930; thereafter a solitary male appeared occasion-
ally during the winter months till 1935. It was not observed
in 1936. The Pintail is not an abundant bird in the
Lothians.

The Teal ( Querquedula c. crecca ) — an infrequent visitor
in pre-Sanctuary days — has become increasingly frequent
in the last ten years, and is now constantly present from
September to April though there are usually no more
than a few pairs. They frequent the sheltered creeks and
the open pools in the reed-bed. I have only one record
of the Shelduck ( Tadorna tadorna). On 29th September
1929 a flock of eleven passed overhead flying westwards.

The Pochard ( Nyroca ferina ferina ) is the commonest
diving Duck on the Loch. First recorded as breeding in
1926, one or more pairs have reared young each year since,
except in 1929 and 1931. In 1936 six broods of Pochard
were observed. There is a small non-breeding flock of males
resident throughout the summer. The immigrant birds
begin to arrive in numbers in August and September and
leave in a body about the second week of March. The
numbers of Pochard on the Loch fluctuate from year to year,
from week to week and from day to day. The fluctuations
can sometimes be obviously correlated with changing
meteorological conditions. Since the War years when
Duck-shooting ceased on the Loch, Pochard have been present
in hundreds during the winter months. In November 1927
and February 1931 over six hundred Pochard were counted
on the Loch, and on 12th December 1936 they reached the
unprecedented figure of one thousand five hundred and sixty.
The vast majority of the birds rest on the Loch through the
day and leave for the Firth of Forth — two miles distant —
each evening about half an hour after sunset, returning
before sunrise. Males outnumber females by about four to

38

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

one, and this ratio remains unaltered throughout the winter
and spring months.

The Tufted Duck (. Nyroca fuligula ) frequents the Loch
throughout the year. In the winter months on an average
forty birds are present; from May to July perhaps only two
or three pairs. First recorded as breeding in 1918, young
have not been observed since 1926.

Appended is a Table relating to the Ducks on the Loch
compiled in 1935 from my notes.

Table showing the Weekly Variations in the Numbers of each Species
of Duck on Duddingston Loch from week co?nmencing 23rd September
1934 to week commencing 31st March 1935.

(The figure for each species is the greatest number of that species present at
any one count during the specified week. Comparatively mild weather prevailed
throughout the period under review, the Loch remaining unfrozen throughout the
winter.)

1934.

Mallard.

Shoveller.

Pintail.

Teal.

Wigeon.

Pochard.

Tufted

Duck.

Scaup.

[ Goldeneye.

Goosander.

Sept.

99

23-30

ISO

I

O

2

1

40 +

II

O

O

O

30-Oct. 6

171

2

O

15 +

I

105

18

O

O

O

Oct.

7-13

145

2

O

6

4

141

IO

O

I

O

,,

14-20

50

3

O

0

3

120

16

O

I

O

59

21-27

87

1

O

1

4

44

19

O

O

O

99

28-Nov. 3

24

2

O

0

0

24

23

O

3

O

Nov.

4-10

150

2

O

0

0

116

7

3

0

O

99

11-17

97

0

O

3

0

360

13

1

2

O

79

18-24

50

0

O

9

0

370

13

3

0

O

57

25-Dec. 1

135

0

O

2

0

375

20

0

1

O

Dec.

2-8

170

3

O

6

0

490

15

0

1

O

9)

9-15

130

2

O

11

0

425

25

2

1

I

95

16-22

34

0

O

2

0

440

15

0

2

5

95

23-29

60

0

O

2

0

45o

19

0

0

6

99

30- Jan. 5,
1935

no

0

O

8

1

55o

17

0

1

10

Jan.

6-12

150

1

O

28

0

655

21

0

2

20

99

13-19

100 +

0

0

7

0

400

16

0

2

19

99

20-26

176

0

0

5

0

60

31

0

1

9

99

2 7-Feb. 2

120

5

0

3

0

260

48

0

2

16

Feb.

3-9

234

5

I

6

0

95

38

1

3

16

59

10-16

ii5

2

0

0

0

80

4°

0

3

1 7

99

99

17-23

132

0

I

3

0

590

54

0

3

14

24-Mar. 2

90

2

I

6

0

455

7o

0

3

6

Mar.

3*9

50

0

0

7

0

45o

54

1

3

6

10-16

76

2

I

6

0

415

b3

0

3

4

17-23

74

2

I

6

0

400

45

1

4

4

99

24-30

34

2

0

2

0

no

21

0

3

2

99

3 1- Apr. 6

44

0

0

4

0

16

25

0

3

0

THE AVIFAUNA OF DUDDINGSTON LOCH, MIDLOTHIAN 39

The Goldeneye ( Glaucionetta c. clangula ) is now a regular
visitor at the Loch apart from the breeding season. From
1927 to 1931 it was rarely recorded. In season 1931-32 a
female remained on the Loch throughout the winter, and
one or more birds have returned each autumn since and
remained till April. The greatest number recorded was
six on 9th November 1935. The birds are territorial: they
dive incessantly throughout the day. They frequent certain
areas of the Loch always close inshore. In this connection
we note the following in a Report on the Molluscan Fauna
of the Sanctuary published in 1930. “The Loch itself (i.e.,
a few yards away from the edge of the north side and
immediately vegetation ceases elsewhere) was a disappoint-
ment. It appears to be bottomed by liquid mud incapable
of supporting anything in the nature of molluscan life.”
The Goldeneye resents disturbance, but its establishment at
Duddingston can only in part be attributed to the seclusion
of the Sanctuary, since this Duck has of recent years
become a winter visitor at an increasing number of fresh-
water Scottish lochs.

The Scaup ( Nyroca m. marila ) has been recorded during
the winter months, not infrequently during the period under
review. Seven birds were seen on 25th February 1934.
Scaup were most constantly present in the winter 1934-35,
though never in numbers

Prior to 1932 the Goosander ( Mergus m. merganser) was
an exceedingly rare visitor at the Loch. On 19th November
1932 a female appeared, and remained more or less constantly
at the Loch till 4th April 1933. Latterly it was joined by
two other birds. They reappeared in December 1933 ; as
many as ten were at the Loch in April and four birds were
noted on 16th May. In the winter of 1934-35 they appeared
in greater numbers and twenty were counted on 12th January
1935. In 1935-36 there were fewer Goosanders, and in
December 1936 four birds were noted on 5th December, but
thereafter only a solitary male bird frequented the Loch.
The Goosanders are enthusiastic and successful fishers, and
the toll they take of the pike in the Loch may well be
correlated with the increasing size of the broods of water-

40

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

birds at the Loch the last few seasons. It is instructive
to contrast the confidence shown by the Goosanders at
Duddingston with the timidity of birds on waters where
they are persecuted.

A female Smew ( Mergellus albellus) was at the Loch
from 3rd February to 24th April 1929 and from the 17th to
the 24th February 1930.

There has been a gratifying and remarkable increase of
the smaller Passeres breeding round the Loch since the
inception of the Sanctuary, and in the absence of a
proportionate increase in the surrounding district it may be
attributed to the breeding cover supplied by the trees and
bushes planted, and the seclusion of the Sanctuary at the
nesting time. The few acres of the Sanctuary suited to this
Order have a varied natural flora ; and, as Mr Grimshaw in
his Entomological Report on the Sanctuary states, possess a
rich and varied insect fauna. He collected over a hundred
species of dipterous insects on two visits to the Sanctuary.

A supply of food for nestlings is thus assured, and later in
the season at the seeding time, Punches are abundant ; and
in the autumn months Thrushes feed numerously on the
berries. But in winter Passerine birds are few both in
number and variety.

Ground vermin take an enormous toll of eggs and
nestlings. Thus, of ten nests of Song Thrush with eggs in
the last week of March 1935, young were reared from one
only. In nearly every case a nestful of sucked egg-shells was
found. In June 1934 I saw a weasel removing the last
full-fledged Song Thrush from a nest in a hawthorn, five feet
from the ground. On 5th July 1935 when ringing a brood of
young Kestrels a mile away from the Sanctuary I found at
the nest a Song Thrush ringed as a nestling in the Sanctuary
a month previously. Yet in spite of their natural enemies
very many young are reared.

The Carrion Crow ( Corvus c. corone) has, during the last
few years, been an infrequent visitor at the Loch. The
Rook ( Corvus f frugilegus) is abundant and breeds in the
vicinity, as does the Jackdaw ( Corvus monedula spermologus ),
though neither bird nests in the Sanctuary. The Magpie

THE AVIFAUNA OF DUDDINGSTON LOCH, MIDLOTHIAN 41

{Pica p. pica ) visited the Loch in February 1928, and from
November 1931 till January 1932.

Several pairs of Starling {Sturnus v. vulgaris ) nest.
In the latter half of June 1935 a flock of over five hundred
Starlings — all birds of the year — roosted in the Sanctuary.

The Greenfinch {Chloris c. Moris'), Chaffinch {Fringilla c.
ccelebs) and House Sparrow {Passer d. domesticus ) all nest,
and the Tree Sparrow {Passer m. montanus ) which nests near
at hand is sometimes noted. Two Goldfinches {Carduelis
carduelis britannica) were seen on 26th December 1931 and a
large flock of Brambling {Fringilla montifringilla ) in January
and February 1929. The Linnet {Acanthis c. ca7inabina)
breeds freely, and in 1935 the Lesser Redpoll {Acanthis
flammea cabaret ) was found breeding for the first time in
the history of the Loch. At least three pairs bred in 1936.
All the nests found have been built in trees — willows,
alders and elderberry — planted since 1926. The Finch is
increasing as a breeding species in the Lothians.

Possibly twelve pairs of Reed Bunting {Emberiza s.
schoeniclus) nest in the Sanctuary ; a few birds winter but
most desert the Sanctuary in October and return about the
second week of March. The Snow Bunting {Plectrophenax
n. nivalis ) occurs most winters ; flocks comprising over a
hundred birds have been noted. The Yellow Bunting
{Emberiza c. citrinella ) usually nests and is resident
throughout the year. The Skylark {Alauda a. arvensis)
breeds in the vicinity but not within the Sanctuary bounds.

The White Wagtail {Motacilla a. alba) has been noted
infrequently on passage; the Grey Wagtail {Motacilla c.
cinerea) is a frequent visitor except during the breeding
season, and at least one pair of Pied Wagtail usually breed.
A feature of the Sanctuary in the autumn months is the
great number of Pied Wagtails {Motacilla alba yarrellii) that
gather each evening to roost in the reed-bed. This evening
roost was especially large in October 1933, 1934 and 1936,
and in the latter year approximated to three hundred birds.
Three pairs of Meadow Pipit {Anthus pratensis ) as a rule
nest each year, but the bird is scarce or absent during the
winter. A nestling ringed a few yards outside the Sanctuary
224 f

42

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

bounds on 19th May 1935 was recovered at Andernos-les-
Bains, France, on 2nd October 1935.

The Tree-creeper ( Certhia familiaris britannicd) is an
occasional visitor. The Goldcrest ( Regulus regulus ) is
frequently recorded at the spring and autumn migration.
The Blue Tit ( Parus coeruleus obscurus) and Great Tit ( Parus
major newto?ii ) nest in the Sanctuary, and the Cole Tit
{Parus ater britannicus) is often seen, especially in winter.

The Spotted Flycatcher ( Muscicapa s. striata) is a
variable summer visitor; some years two or three pairs nest
in the Sanctuary, in others, as in 1934, none nested. The
Whitethroat ( Sylvia c. communis ) and the Willow Warbler
( Phylloscopus trochilus trochilus') both nest freely and the
Sedge Warbler {Acrocephalus schoenobcenus) is abundant ; the
marsh and reed-bed is full of their song in summer. A very
late nest contained half-fledged young on 16th August 1934.

The Mistle Thrush ( Turdus v. viscivorus ) breeds in the
Sanctuary. About twenty pairs of Song Thrush ( Turdus e.
ericetorum) nest, many of them using the young conifers
recently planted. Most of these birds and the nesting
Blackbirds ( Turdus m. merula) find food for themselves and
their young in a neighbouring golf-course. These three
Thrushes and sometimes the Redwing ( Turdus m. musicus )
are attracted in autumn by the elder and other berries. The
Redwing is principally a hard weather winter visitor. The
Fieldfare ( Turdus pilaris') has rarely been recorded during
the last ten years.

The Redstart ( Phoenicurus p. phoenicurus ) has occurred
occasionally on passage. The Robin ( Erithacus rubecula )
is resident. The Stonechat ( Saxicola torquata hibernans )
breeds in the vicinity, and in 1932 probably bred within the
Sanctuary. They sometimes winter here. Three Whinchat
{Saxicola r. rubetra) were noted on 23rd August 1932. The
Wheatear {CEnanthe 0. oenanthe ) is a summer visitor most
years, breeding just outside the Sanctuary.

The Hedge Sparrow {Prunella modularis occidentals) and
the Wren {Troglodytes t. troglodytes) occur throughout the year
and breed. A single Dipper {Cinclus c. gularis) was observed
on 1 8th October 1933 — the only record for the last ten years.

THE AVIFAUNA OF DUDDINGSTON LOCH, MIDLOTHIAN 43

The Swallow ( Hintndd r. rustica ), House Martin ( Delichon
u . urbica ), and Sand Martin (. Riparia r. riparia ) are summer
visitors but do not nest

The Cuckoo ( Cuculus c. canorus) frequents the Sanctuary
some years, as in 1930 and 1933, but not others. Swifts
(. Micropus a. apus ) are abundant summer visitors, attracted by
the rich insect life of the Loch. Swifts linger at Duddingston
when those in the surrounding country have emigrated. In
1934 they were seen daily until the 30th September.

The Kingfisher ( Alcedo atthis ispidd) was not seen at the
Loch between 1927 and 1931 ; but in 1932 and 1933 it was
a frequent visitor, and in 1934 and 1935 one or two birds
were present throughout the year except in May and June.
In the winter of 1936 it was not seen.

The Barn Owl ( Tyto alba alba) has been recorded at
frequent intervals since 1928, at times hunting over the marsh
regularly morning and evening. On 3rd March 1935 one
was picked up dead at the lochside. The same year the nest
was found with young in the vicinity. The Long-eared Owl
(. Asio 0. otus) is less often seen than formerly. It is often
absent for long periods. Thus one roosted regularly at the
Loch from August to October 1936, but none was seen
previously for over a year. The Brown Owl ( Strix aluco
sylvatica ) is common. No Owls nest in the Sanctuary.

The Sparrow-Hawk ( Accipiter n. nisus) has only rarely
been seen at the Loch during the last ten years. The Kestrel
( Falco tinnunculus tinnunculus) is a daily visitor.

Four Whooper Swans ( Cygnus c. cygnus) visited the Loch
on 25th January 1934. From one to three pairs of Mute
Swan ( Cygnus olor) nest each season. One or more
Cormorants ( Phalacrocorax c. carbo) visited and fished on
the Loch from February to May 1933 and from February
to March 1935, and one bird was seen in March 1934.

One and occasionally two or three Herons ( Ardea c.
cinerea ) frequent the Sanctuary irrespective of the season,
but they sometimes leave for periods extending to several
weeks. The list of Waders is small. Vegetation extends to
the waters edge all round and there is no expanse of mud
or bare shore to attract passing migrants. The Woodcock

44

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

{S colop ax r. rusticola ) was seen once only from 1927 to 1936.
The number of Common Snipe ( Capella g. gallinago)
fluctuates from year to year but they are usually abundant.
In 1935 two birds were observed at the breeding season, and
one of them was drumming over the Loch. The Jack Snipe
(. Lymnocryptes minimus ), an uncommon visitor in this part,
was noted on 22nd February 1933 and on 16th May 1935.
A Little Stint (. Erolia minutd) was seen at the Loch on
2nd May 1935 — the first record in the history of the Loch.
A party of ten Dunlin ( Erolia alpina sckinzii ’) flew up the
Loch on 8th December 1934. The Redshank ( Tringa t.
tetanus') is an occasional visitor chiefly in autumn. The
Common Sandpiper ( Tringa hypoleucos) occurs regularly at
the spring and autumn migrations. A Green Sandpiper
( Tringa ochropus) was recorded on 5th August 1933. The
Curlew ( Numenius a. arquata ) and Whimbrel ( Numenius p.
phceopus) are occasionally seen or heard passing over at the
migration season. The Golden Plover ( Pluvialis apricarius)
was seen on 24th September 1933 and a flock of forty on
27th October 1936. The Lapwing {V anellus vanellus) is
present throughout the year but does not breed. Two
Oystercatchers ( Hcematopus ostralegus occidentalis) were
observed at the lochside on 25th February 1935 and single
birds on 23rd and 25th August 1935.

The Common Gull ( Larus c. canus), Herring Gull (. Larus
a. argentatus ), and Black-headed Gull ( Larus r. ridibundus)
are constantly at the Loch at all seasons, and can usually
be counted in hundreds. There is a ceaseless coming and
going between the Loch and the Firth of Forth. The Lesser
Black-backed Gull ( Larus fuscus greellsii) is a regular summer
visitor, and the Greater Black-backed Gull {Larus marinus) an
occasional winter visitor. No Gulls breed in the Sanctuary.

The Common Tern {Sterna h. hirundo) was an occasional
summer visitor up till 1930, but since 1931 has been
regularly seen throughout each summer. The Sandwich
Tern {Sterna s . sandvicensis) visited the Loch during May
and June 1931 and in the summer of 1936. The occurrence
of Terns at the Loch each year is most likely dependent
on their numbers and distribution in the Firth of Forth.

THE AVIFAUNA OF DUDDINGSTON LOCH, MIDLOTHIAN 45

A Red-throated Diver ( Colymbus stellatus ) made a short
stay at the Loch in March and in July 1928. A Great-
crested Grebe ( Podiceps c. cristatus ) was present on the Loch
from the 18th to the 26th October 1930. A Slavonian
Grebe ( Podiceps auritus ) was seen in December 1927 and
in February 1929. One and sometimes two pairs of Little
Grebe {Podiceps r. ruficollis') nest each season and occasion-
ally remain through the winter. On 21st October 1936 a
party of six Little Grebes arrived at the Loch during a
period of unsettled weather. They passed on within a few
days. It is the only record I have of Little Grebes on
passage at the Loch during the last ten years.

The Corncrake ( Crex crex) was calling in the Sanctuary
in May 1932 for some days. The Moorhen ( Gallinula
chloropus chloropus') nests abundantly. About fourteen pairs
of Coot ( Fulica a. atra ) breed annually. These birds are
resident throughout the year. The winter population is
increased by immigrant Coot and usually over a hundred
birds winter on the Loch.

The Wood Pigeon ( Columba palumbus palumbus') and
Stockdove ( Columba cenas) are noted throughout the year
and may occasionally nest. The Pheasant ( Phasianus
colchicus ) and the Partridge (. Perdix p. perdix') are regular
visitors and have nested in the Sanctuary or its vicinity.

I have made frequent reference to my father’s notes on
the Loch in writing this article and many of the records
quoted are his. I have further consulted the annual Reports
on “ Bird Sanctuaries in Royal Parks in Scotland.”

NOTES

Little Auk in Dumfriesshire. — On Friday, 29th January
1937, a Little Auk was picked up at Porterston (Keir), Dumfries. —
Hugh S. Gladstone, Dumfries.

Little Auk at Granton. — On 30th January 1937 a Little Auk
was observed a short distance west of Granton Harbour. — M. K.
Hamilton.

46

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

I

Two Rare American Birds in Scotland. — An American
Black and White Warbler, Mniotilta varia, was picked up near
Scalloway, Shetland, about the middle of October 1936, and was
forwarded to the Royal Scottish Museum by Mr F. Inkster.
The arrival of this bird followed a period of stormy weather. The
carcase was in a very decomposed condition but was finally preserved
and is now in the collection of the Royal Scottish Museum, after
being identified by Mr N. B. Kinnear of the British Museum.

Although this bird is a small creature, in its native haunts in
America it undertakes long migrations. The breeding range extends
west and north-west from South Carolina and New Brunswick as
far as the Great Bear Lake in north-western Canada. The winter
is spent in Southern Florida, the West Indies, Central Mexico
Central America and north-western South America.

This would appear to be the first record of this bird outside
America.

For the particulars of the finding of an American Yellow-billed
Cuckoo, Coccyzus a. americanus , in Orkney I am indebted to
Provost J. G. Marwick of Stromness. The skin has been mounted
and is in the Museum at Stromness.

Following a period of very severe and stormy weather the
bird flew into the farmhouse of Doverhouse, Birsay Parish, about
twelve miles from Stromness. The farmer, Mr Alex. Spence,
secured the bird and sent it on to Stromness, where it died.

This bird is a very rare visitor to Scotland and appears to have
been previously recorded only once, when a specimen was found in
Colonsay in 1904. Less than a dozen specimens have been found
in England. In America it is a migrant. In the summer it
occurs in the south-eastern part of North America, and in winter is
found in the northern parts of South America. — A. C. Stephen,
Royal Scottish Museum.

Albino Grass Mouse ( Microtus agrestis) in Dumfriesshire.

— Colour varieties in Microtus appear to be scarce. It is therefore
worthy of record that I received, through the kindness of Mr O. J.
Pullen, an albino young male (head and body 86 mm.) that had been
brought in by a cat at Hillside, near Lockerbie, on 13th October 1936.
Millais, in his Mammals of Great Britain and Ireland , mentions four
albinos; and Barrett-Hamilton, in his History of British Mammals ,
simply says “white varieties are not common.” — Arthur B. Duncan,
Closeburn, Dumfries,

NOTES ON SCOTTISH COLEOPTERA AND LEPIDOPTERA 47

NOTES ON SCOTTISH COLEOPTERA AND
LEPIDOPTERA.

By W. R. Brough Hynd, St Salvator’s Hall, St Andrews, Fife

The following records of the occurrence of certain of the
rarer Scottish insects may be of interest either in that they
may enlarge the accepted range for the species in question,
or may provide a little more material for the study of insect
migration.

Oxyporus rufus , L. — In September 1935, four specimens
of this large and characteristic Staphylinid were taken out
of fungi growing among haystacks on the outskirts of St
Andrews, Fife. Many other specimens were noticed, both
in the adult and in the larval stages. This beetle has been
taken in the Solway Firth district by Douglas (Fowler,
British Coleoptera , vol. vi., Supplement, p. 239). Since this
appears to be the only other record for Scotland, the range
is now extended considerably farther north.

Orectochilus villosus , Muller. — Large numbers of this
beetle were found under a half-submerged log at Loch
Pityoulish, near Aviemore, Inverness-shire, on nth August
1936. The beetle is characteristic and easily identified,
being the only British species among the Gyrinidse which
is pubescent. Other records for this insect which I have
managed to obtain have all come from the Lowlands, south
of the Forth and Clyde areas (P'owler, vol. i., p. 217). It is
said to frequent the underside of stones, etc., during the day
and to move only at night, their nocturnal habits being even
more marked than in the related genus Gyrinus.

Vanessa io , L. ( The Peacock Butterfly). — On 10th August
1936, one specimen of this beautiful butterfly was observed,
settled on a thistle, in Aviemore village. The insect, which
was in fine condition, unfortunately managed to elude the
net. However, as I was within a yard or so of it when it
had its wings outspread, there is no doubt as to the species.
The Peacock has previously been observed at Forres, which
is 35 miles farther north, but its occurrence anywhere in the
Highlands of Scotland is a most exceptional event.

48

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

Macroglossum stellatarum , L. ( The Humming-Bird Hawk

Moth). — -This fast-flying moth was watched for a few minutes
in a garden in Dunfermline, Fife, on the 23rd September
1936. Unfortunately none of the flowers in the area seemed
to attract it and it quickly left, but the species was readily
identified by the greyish fore-wings, the yellow hind-wings,
and characteristic flight. I believe that this is the first
record of the occurrence of the species in Scotland this year.
I might add that another specimen of this species was
caught at St Andrews in September 1934, while it was
flying round phloxes. This capture was never recorded but
is referred to now, since details of the occurrence of this
migratory moth are much to be desired.

Ringed Golden Plover in Skye. — About the 19th December
1936, while walking along the shore near Kyle, Skye, Mr D. J.
Macpherson found the remains of a Golden Plover with a ring
bearing the name of the National Museum at Reykjavik, Iceland.
The ring was forwarded to the authorities in Iceland and they have
given the following particulars of the ringing.

The bird was ringed on the farm of Sandur in the valley of the
Adaldalur, Iceland, on the 24th June 1936. The bird belonged to
the northern race, Pluvialis apricarius altifrons , and this would
seem to be the first record of this race in Skye. — A. C. Stephen,
Royal Scottish Museum.

Ringed Iceland Redwing in Harris. — Through the kindness
of Mr J. S. Grant of the Stornoway Gazette , the particulars of the
finding of a Redwing with a ring were forwarded to the Museum.
The bird was killed by a cat at Quidinish, Leverburgh, Harris, in
the first week of December 1936. The ring was a Danish one; and
from Mr P. Skovgaard, who was responsible for the ringing, I have
received the information that the bird was ringed when young at
Myvatn, Iceland, on the 29th July 1936. — A. C. Stephen, Royal
Scottish Museum.

Ruff and Little Auk in the Forth. — On the 23rd January
1937 I saw a male Ruff, Philomachus pugnax , at Aberlady Bay.
It appeared to be quite healthy, and as this is such an unusual date
to see it, I think it is worth recording.

A Little Auk, Alle alle , was also picked up dead on Kilspindie
shore. — D. I. Molteno, Loretto.

HERRING GULLS FEEDING ON STARFISH

49

HERRING GULLS FEEDING ON STARFISH.

By Chas. Oldham, Berkhamsted.

In his interesting note (SCOT. Nat., 1937, p. 32) on the way
that Herring Gulls, Larus argentatus , treat starfish before
eating them, Dr J. M. Dewar suggests that the spines of
the starfish unless disposed in one direction would injure
the tender gullet of the Gull, and that to swallow a starfish
whole would be disastrous. The lining of the gullet is
perhaps not so tender as it seems to be, for Herring Gulls
swallow enormous quantities of the fractured shells of mussels,
Mytilus , and later eject the comminuted fragments in the
form of loosely agglutinated pellets. However that may be,
Herring Gulls do undoubtedly swallow starfish entire, gulping
them down, with some difficulty perhaps, and after a good
deal of shaking and pecking. Although at times — as in the
cases observed by Dr Dewar — a ray may be detached, that
may not be the purpose of the violent shaking, although
what that purpose is may not be clear unless it be to rid
the creature of superfluous sand. My experience of Herring
Gulls eating starfish is limited and it may have been
exceptional, but on the two occasions on which I have
watched the performance the starfish were swallowed whole.

On 4th April 1926, on the shore at Colwyn Bay,
Denbighshire, when the tide was nearly at its lowest a
Herring Gull picked up and, after much shaking, swallowed
two starfish — the common, five-fingered orange-coloured
species, Asterias rubens , gulping them down whole, with a
good deal of effort.

A later observation at Scolthead Island, Norfolk, in
October 1934, confirmed the view that as a rule at any rate —
I could see no exception to it — the starfish was swallowed
whole ; the following is a verbatim copy of the notes I made
at the time. “ On 5th October as the tide was falling
(nearly low water) Herring Gulls, adult and immature, and
Common Gulls, Larus camis, were feeding on starfish — the
common, orange-coloured five-fingered species. Sometimes
the Gulls picked up the starfish as they waded in the shallow
224 g

50

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

water, but now and then a Herring Gull would fly along the
water’s edge and suddenly pounce and submerge, entirely or
in part, and seize its prey on the bottom, just as I have
often seen Herring Gulls do when hunting for hermit-crabs
at Tenby. Having secured a starfish the Gull shook it
repeatedly, as a dog might shake a rat, and frequently dropped
it in the water between abortive attempts to swallow it ; but
so far as I could see, this shaking and the associated pecking
never resulted in the starfish being dismembered or even losing
a finger. It seemed a difficult matter for the Gulls to swallow
their prey, and as often as not, after many ineffectual
attempts to do so, they abandoned it ; when they did succeed
it was only at the expense of much gulping and straining.
Once a Common Gull, after repeated but unsuccessful efforts
to get a starfish down, was frightened off by a Herring
Gull which itself ate it. On three subsequent days I again
watched the Gulls feeding on the starfish at low water.”

Scarcity of Swallows and House-Martins. — During the
past four or five summers we have had occasion to regret a notable
decrease in the number of Swallows and House-Martins nesting in
parts of Galloway. From boyhood until recently I have enjoyed
their charming company : House-Martins rearing their broods under
the eaves of our mansion, and Swallows doing so under the porch
and in various outbuildings; but now both species have quite
deserted us. This is not the result of an increase of Starlings or
Sparrows either on Monreith House or on farm buildings in the
neighbourhood. Over a large lake in the park I used to enjoy
watching scores of Swallows and Martins skimming after flies on a
summer evening; but last year I never saw one. I would be
interested to know whether a like scarcity has been noted in such
other parts of Scotland as retain, like Galloway, their rural and
arable character. — Herbert Maxwell, Monreith.

Red-necked Grebe on Linlithgow Loch. — On February
1937, in company with Mr D. Hamilton, I saw a Red-necked Grebe,
Podiceps g. griseigena , on Linlithgow Loch. It was very tame, and
we particularly noticed its yellow bill and that its black cap reached
below the eye. — D. I. Molteno, Loretto.

ISLE OF MAY BIRD OBSERVATORY

5i

ISLE OF MAY BIRD OBSERVATORY.
Autumn Report, 1936.

By The Midlothian Ornithological Club.

The island was under observation from 2nd to 26th July,
nth to 14th August, and from 20th August to 8th October.
We are greatly indebted to the following ornithologists
who helped us to make the observations as complete as
possible : —

Misses E. Hulse and V. Creswell-Ward ; Messrs W. B.
Alexander, D. C. Anderson, H. G. Callan, B. W. H. Coulson,
H. F. I. Elliott, G. Carmichael Low, M.D., R. R. Nairn,
M. G. Robinson, K. B. Rooke, T. M. Scadding, R. B. Sibson,
and H. N. Southern.

General Migration and Weather Conditions .

2nd to 26th July. — Even at this early date a few migrants
were observed on the island, viz. : — a Swift, Lapwing, Turn-
stones, Purple Sandpipers, Common Sandpipers, Redshanks,
Whimbrels and Arctic Skuas.

nth to ^\st August. — During this period the winds were
light to moderate, mainly from the south and west.

In addition to the usual early migrants observed on the
island in August, the following species were noted in small
numbers, viz.: — Tree Pipits, Garden Warblers, Redstarts,
Merlin, Kestrels, Teal, Red-breasted Merganser and Common
Snipe. Three Lesser Whitethroats were trapped on the
13th and 14th and a Wood Warbler on the 14th. On the
evening of the 25th and on the 26th the wind was south-
easterly, and on the latter day Willow Warblers had
increased from eight to sixty.

1 st to i$th September. — Winds persisted from the east
until the 5th, with frequent periods of fog and rain ; there
followed a spell of quiet weather with westerly winds, only
interrupted by a south-easterly squall on the night of the
6th. After almost a dead calm on the 8th, the wind settled
in the south-east at mid-day on the 9th, bringing fog and
224 G 2

52

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

rain with rising wind until the 12th. Subsequently the
wind backed to the north-east with calmer conditions.

Migrants were absent or scarce until the 3rd when there
was an arrival, including six Pied Flycatchers, and this species
was present, in numbers from one to six, throughout most
of the fortnight. O11 the 4th there was a Yellow-breasted
Bunting and on the 5th an Ortolan Bunting and a Wood
Warbler on the island. Birds, which had not been numerous,
were even fewer on the 6th, but a Bar-tailed Godwit flew
south-west over the island in the morning. There were
some more arrivals on the 7th among them a Dotterel, which
remained until the 9th. From the 9th to the 15th migrants
were varied and increasing slightly in number. Noteworthy
visitors during this period were a Barred Warbler on the
10th and nth, and another on the 14th, an Ortolan Bunting
on the nth, a Dotterel on the 12th, a Bluethroat (subsp. ?)
on the 13th, a Lesser Redpoll on the 14th, and two Siskins
on the 15th.

1 6th to 30 th September . — Weather on the whole was
good with little rain, although visibility was only moderate
for the early part of the fortnight. Winds were light from
the east or north-east from the 16th to the 20th, light and
variable from the 20th to the 24th and after this mainly
light from north or west, except on the 25th and 27th when
they blew strong from the north or north-east.

During the greater part of this fortnight birds were
varied and interesting. Siskins were on the island from the
15th to the 26th, in numbers varying from two on the 15th,
to thirty-five on the 21st. On the 17th, birds had increased
and arrivals of particular interest were: — Lapland Bunting
( C . 1. lapponicus ), Red-breasted Flycatcher (M. p. parva ),
Northern Willow Warbler, Siberian Lesser Whitethroat,
Norwegian Bluethroat {L. s. gcetkei), Jack Snipe and Water
Rail. The Bluethroat was again seen on the 1 8th, in addition
to two Barred Warblers and a Grey Wagtail. On the 19th
a Yellow-browed Warbler {P. i. inornatus) and a Wryneck
were on the island. Two birds of the former species were
seen on the 20th and one on the 21st and 22nd. From the
2 1st to the 27th birds were decidedly fewer; but some

ISLE OF MAY BIRD OBSERVATORY 53

;i

arrivals were noted, including a Grey Wagtail on the 21st,

I a White Wagtail on the 22nd, a Sparrow-Hawk and a Knot
on the 23rd, a Greenshank on the 24th, a Jack Snipe on the
26th and another Sparrow-Hawk on the 27th. There was,
however, a slight though only temporary increase in the
number of birds on the 28th, when a Little Bunting
( E . pusilla) and a second Red-breasted Flycatcher were
observed. The last two days of the month produced little
of note, except four Redpolls (subsp. ?).

1st to Stk October. — During this week, weather was fine
with good visibility and light winds ; these were north-
easterly on the 1st, southerly on the 2nd and 3rd, easterly on
the 4th and 5th, and northerly thereafter.

Apart from a slight increase on the 5th, birds were not
very numerous, and by the 8th most summer migrants had
passed on their way. The most interesting species observed
were: — Jack Snipe (one on the 1st, 3rd and 5th), Corncrake
(one on the 3rd), Red-breasted Flycatcher (two on the 4th
and one on the 5th), Lesser Redpoll (one on the 4th),
Continental Song-Thrush (T. e. philomelus') (one on the 5th
and 7th), Short-eared Owl (one on the 6th). It is probable
that there were more than two Continental Song-Thrushes
on the island, but only two were examined in the hand.
On the 7th a Hedge-Sparrow was trapped, which by its
wing formation appeared to be of the Continental race,
P. m. modularis.

Notes on Species.

Yellow-breasted Bunting ( Emberiza aureola ). — An
immature bird of this species was trapped and examined
in the hand on 4th September by Messrs M. K. Hamilton,
W. M. Kerr, and A. D. Watson. It was conveyed to Edin-
burgh, where Messrs H. F. D. Elder and J. H. B. Munro
released it on the 7th having confirmed the identification.

Very careful notes were taken of the plumage, the buffish-
brown rump, white axillaries and broad diagonal white band
across both webs of the outer tail-feathers being specially
noted. The wing measured 75 mm. and the 3rd to 5th but
not the 6th primaries were emarginated on the outer web.

54

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

The iris was dark brown, upper mandible bluish-horn, lower
mandible and lower edge of upper mandible at base pale
pinkish, legs and feet purplish-pink. Except for the iris,
the colours of the soft parts disagree with those given in
the Practical Handbook.

In the field it did not associate to any extent with
other species, but was chivied frequently by Rock Pipits.

On the ground the bird was remarkable for its well-
marked head, with broad pale superciliary stripe and pale
line down the centre of the dark crown. Otherwise there
was nothing striking about this small, rather light brown
Bunting. Once, when perched in the sunlight on a wall,
it exhibited the trace of a buffish breast-band across the
prevailing pale yellow of the underparts.

At no time was there conspicuous white on the wing,
but the broad white edgings to the tail were noticeable in
flight and reminiscent of a Pipit.

It fed silently, but in flight uttered a single rather
Robin-like note.

Siberian Lesser Whitethroat ( Sylvia curruca affinis).
— This bird remained on the island from 17th September
to 5th October. It was examined in the hand by Messrs
W. B. Alexander and H. F. D. Elder.

The measurements were: — Wing 66-5 mm., tail 59 mm.,
tarsus 19 mm., bill from skull 12-5 mm. Primaries: 3rd
and 4th longest, 2nd 4-5 mm. shorter, 6th 3-5 mm. shorter,
7th 6 mm. shorter, the 2nd thus being between the 6th
and 7th. The iris was buffish-grey. The crown was
brownish-grey, mantle brownish, upper tail-coverts pale grey,
and the edges of the wing-quills and coverts were distinctly
rufous-brown. In the field this brownish crown, mantle
and wings showed very clearly, and it therefore appears to
have been an immature bird.

This is the first record of this subspecies for the Forth
Area.

Northern Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus
acvedula olim eversmannii). — The bird trapped on 17th
September was sent to Mr N. B. Kinnear of the British
Museum, who identified it as being of the northern race.

ISLE OF MAY BIRD OBSERVATORY

55

Ringing.

During the autumn of 1936, 300 adult birds of 42 species
were ringed. These include 1 Yellow-breasted Bunting,

1 Little Bunting, 7 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Red-breasted Fly-
catchers, 72 Willow Warblers, 2 Vellow-browed Warblers,
21 Garden Warblers, 1 Siberian Lesser Whitethroat and

2 Bluethroats.

Retrapping.

A considerable number of birds are, of course, trapped
more than once during the same season, but on 30th September
1936 we retrapped a British Redbreast which had been
ringed on the island on 28th September 1935. Redbreasts
only visit the island on migration.

We would again like to thank the Commissioners of
Northern Lighthouses for allowing us to continue our work
on the Isle of May and the lighthouse-keepers and their
families for their very many kindnesses to all of us.

BOOK NOTICE

Thirty Years of Nature Photography. By SETON GORDON.
Cassell: Price 21s. In this book Mr Seton Gordon tells of the trials,
tribulations and, sometimes, successes of the Nature photographer.
Inspired by Richard Kearton, he began as a boy. His earlier attempts
to photograph birds were made by stalking, but since then he has used
a hide and has succeeded in photographing some of the wariest species.
Mr Gordon has had an able and enthusiastic assistant in his wife, and
some of her photographs are used to illustrate this book.

The majority of the 108 photographs are taken at the nest and the
subjects are, for the most part, the larger birds which nest in the High-
lands and Islands of Scotland. A short portion of the book is, however,
devoted to Red Deer and Seals, and one or two mountain views are
shown. Perhaps the most impressive illustration is the frontispiece,
which shows the silhouette of a Golden Eagle sailing out from her eyrie.
Photographs of Grey Phalarope, Purple Sandpiper and Turnstone, taken
on Spitzbergen, are also included.

The narrative is short but contains some interesting observations,
such as the timidity of the Red-throated Diver at its nest in Scotland as
compared with boldness of the same species in Spitzbergen. The author
also tells of his good fortune in hearing a Curlew give its full song, while
on its nest, a few yards away from him.

This is a book containing a collection of admirable photographs and
a number of brief but interesting chapters.

56

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

NOTES

Ballan Wrasse in the Firth of Forth. — In the November-
December number of the Scottish Naturalist, p. 158, Dr Wood
reported the capture of a number of immature specimens of the
Ballan Wrasse, Labrus bergytta, Day, on the Banffshire coast. All
of uniform size, 24 cm., he records the number as exceptional for
the East Coast of Scotland.

In view of the fact that there are very few records of their
capture on the East Coast, the following notes may be of interest.

During the winter months 1935-36 several Ballan Wrasse, Labrus
bergylta , were caught in the boom net above Kincardine Bridge on
the Forth.

On 27th May 1936 I was called to Port Seton to identify
a strange fish caught in Aberlady Bay by Mr P. Jarron’s fishing
yawl, which proved to be a Ballan Wrasse 16 cm. in length. The
catching of this Wrasse in Aberlady Bay was of great interest to me,
and on 6th June 1936, during the first spring tides, I visited
Longniddry shore. The tide was well out to the edge of the rocks,
and in less than an hour my wife and myself had between us eight
Ballan Wrasse and four Corkwings, Labrus mixtus. Several others
got away and were lost.

On 7th July 1936 we returned to Longniddry shore, followed
the tide back and found a large Ballan Wrasse 26 to 27 cm. in length.
Later on, fishing round the rocks as far as the tide would allow,
we secured eight Ballan Wrasse, five Corkwing Wrasse, Z. mixtus ,
and a male Lump-Sucker, Cyclopterus lumpus\ and, again, several
escaped and were lost.

Some of the above are to be seen in one of the exhibition tanks
in the Carnegie Aquarium, Zoological Park. — Matthew C. Thomson,
Aquarium, Zoological Park, Edinburgh 12.

Smew, Slavonian Grebe, and Black-necked Grebe at
Duddingston Loch. — A female Smew, Mergellus albellus , appeared
at Duddingston Loch, Midlothian, on 24th January 1937. One
Slavonian Grebe, Podiceps auritus , and two Black-necked Grebes,
Podiceps n. nigricollis , were first seen on 31st January.

The Grebes were not shy, and good comparative views of them
were obtained. I have observed all three species almost daily since
their arrival, and they are still — 4th February — on the Loch.

The appearance of these uncommon visitors has coincided with
a period of sustained strong east wind and stormy weather at sea.—
William Serle, Junior.

NOTES

57

A Fight to the Death. — On the evening of 9th May, while my
wife and I were cycling along a quiet road between Doune and
Bridge of Allan, suddenly on rounding a corner we came on a pair
of cock pheasants fighting in the middle of the road.

Obviously one bird was having a bad time. After a few minutes
they tumbled into the ditch at the side out of sight. We remained
perfectly still but could see nothing, except occasionally a wing or
tail in vigorous action.

Wondering what was happening I cycled along slowly: one bird
made off through the hedge; it took me a few moments to discover
the other one cowering under the bank. I picked it up and it
made little resistance, appearing to be quite dazed. The back of its
head was bare but the skin was not broken. Before letting it go I
examined it thoroughly, but apart from the head there was nothing
the matter; it ran off seemingly refreshed.

My wife now drew my attention to the other bird which had
squatted down in the field some twenty yards away. She went over
towards it, but it only kept its distance and appeared to be waiting
till we moved off to come in and continue the fight.

We went to have another look at the injured bird and after a
search found it cowering nearby in the ditch. It made no struggle
when I lifted it but the eyes seemed to have lost the dazed
expression. To all appearances it hadn’t any fight left, so we
decided to carry it along the road a bit where it would be safe from
further attack.

We hadn’t gone more than two hundred yards when it suddenly
struggled and got one wing clear. I was about to secure the
wing when the eyes closed and the head sagged — it was dead. —
T. S. Halliday, F.R.S.A., Alloa.

Red-necked and other Grebes at Lochend Loch,
Edinburgh. — This small Loch, which is situated in a populous
district of the city, has received its quota of rare visitors during the
recent gales and heavy weather at sea.

On 4th February, we observed here three Red-necked Grebes,
Podiceps g . griseigena. Two of these birds were fishing ten yards
from the lochside, and the diagnostic features of their plumage were
seen to advantage. A Great-crested Grebe, Podiceps c. cristatus , on
the Loch afforded comparison for size and build.

There was also at the Loch a single Slavonian Grebe, Podiceps
auritus. — William Serle, Junior, and D. I. Molteno.

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

58

Probable Nutcracker in Lanarkshire. — On 3rd November
1936, in the Holytown district of Lanarkshire, I put up a bird, quite
new to me, which I think must have been a Nutcracker; probably
an “ escape ” from some aviary.

While walking along the grass margin of a very late field of oats
(part of it still uncut) the bird in question rose from a sheaf of corn,
almost at my feet, and flew into an old hawthorn tree about
fifteen yards distant.

In size it was about similar to the Jackdaw; general ground
colour that of a female Blackbird ; entire body spotted all over
with white.

Its flight was sluggish, reminding one of a tame Rook, but once
into the hawthorn tree it showed an extraordinary adroitness in
getting through the branches and into another hawthorn tree nearby ;
in fact, before I could get my Zeiss binoculars on it, it had dis-
appeared. Of course I had a very good view of it in its short flight,
but a perching view of it through binoculars would have been much
more satisfactory.

This little glen is well wooded, almost entirely with old hawthorn
trees, and would be a favourite nesting spot of both Carrion Crows
and Magpies were they allowed. On the day in question, and on
two subsequent occasions, I gave it a thorough search, but saw no
trace of this stranger, neither did I see any other “crow-bird” near
this spot. — Walter Stewart, Holytown.

Bird Notes from the Forth. — On 31st January, when calmer
weather returned after the easterly gales, we visited the coast
between Aberdour golf-course and Burntisland and found the sea-
birds unusually interesting. We found four dead Little Auks on
the shore and saw another swimming and diving off the Hawk
Craig at Aberdour. In Aberdour Harbour there was a dead Red-
necked Grebe and two or three Black-necked Grebes were seen
on the sea between there and Burntisland. Of Divers, apart from
a small flock well off-shore from Aberdour and apparently composed
largely of Black-throated, the most interesting were three Great
Northern Divers swimming very close in. A rather unusual visitor
for mid-winter was a fine adult Gannet fishing off the Hawk Craig
at Aberdour: and when returning across the Forth to Granton, we
came across a Lesser Black-backed Gull which was almost certainly
of the British race. — M. K. Hamilton and A. D. Watson.

THE SCOTTISH ORNITHOLOGISTS’ CLUB

59

Gbe Scottish ©rnitbologists’ Club

(Official Section)

Presidents.

Leonora Jeffrey Rintoul and
Evelyn V. Baxter, H.M.B.O.U., F.L.S., F.Z.S.

Chairman.

Arthur B. Duncan, M.B.O.U.

Honorary Secretary and Treasurer.

George Waterston, 27 Inverleith Terrace, Edinburgh 4.

1st Annual General Meeting.

Miss E. V. Baxter presided at the 1st Annual General
Meeting of the Club which was held in the Rooms of the
Royal Scottish Geographical Society, Synod Hall, Edinburgh,
on 14th January 1937. There was an attendance of sixty-five
people. Tea was served at 5.30 P.M., the formal business
meeting beginning at 6 P.M. with a talk on : “ The Scottish
Ornithologists’ Club — Why it has been formed and what
it intends to do,” by Miss E. V. Baxter. She explained
that the Club had been formed to enable ornithologists
in Scotland to meet together to discuss observations and
problems regarding Scottish Ornithology. She hoped that
the Club would be the means of spreading a network of
observers throughout Scotland which would result in our
obtaining a much better knowledge of our bird-life.

This was followed by a Paper on : “ Some Scottish Bird
Problems,” by Miss L. J. Rintoul. She discussed such subjects
as bird protection, migration, distribution, and the subspecies
question.

Mr Arthur B. Duncan also spoke on subspecies and stated
that there was still a great amount of work to be done in
investigating this matter. Several members expressed their
views on some of the points raised by Miss Rintoul.

A film issued by the United States Biological Survey
Department on “ Bird Migration ” was exhibited by
Dr A. C. Stephen. This film depicted the methods

6o

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

employed in the United States in bird-banding, trapping
birds for banding, and in studying the migration routes of
certain species.

The Meeting adjourned at 8 p.m.

Mr Arthur B. Duncan, M.B.O.U., is conducting an
investigation into the past and present distribution of the
Magpie in Scotland on behalf of the Club.

Schedules will shortly be issued to all members of the
Club giving particulars of the information that is desired,
and all observers in Scotland are asked to co-operate in
this interesting enquiry, the results of which should prove of
great value.

All correspondence on this subject should be addressed to
Mr Arthur B. Duncan, Gilchristland, Closeburn, Dumfriesshire.

The next meeting of the Club will be held on 2nd April
1937, in the East Room of the McLellan Galleries, Sauchiehall
Street, Glasgow, at 7.15 P.M. Mr Arthur B. Duncan will give
a Paper on : “ Some Remarks on the Bird-Life of the Outer
Hebrides, with special reference to subspecific races.”

This will be followed by a lecture on “ St Kilda and Its
Birds,” by the Earl of Dumfries, M.B.O.U., and the Rev. J. M.
McWilliam, illustrated by lantern slides.

Anyone wishing to attend this meeting and who is not
already a member of the Club is asked to communicate with
the Honorary Secretary, Mr George Waterston, 27 Inverleith
Terrace, Edinburgh.

Application Forms for membership and copies of the
Constitution of the Club can also be obtained.

It is hoped that there will be a large attendance.

The Status of the Magpie in Scotland.

2nd General Meeting of the Club.

George Waterston,

Hon. Secretary and Treasurer.

A Vertebrate Fauna of Forth

By LEONORA JEFFREY RINTOUL and EVELYN V. BAXTER

With 1 6 full-page illustrations and a map of
the Forth Area. 8vo. 456 pages. 25s. net.

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A Monthly Illustrated Journal of Natural History for the North of England

Edited by W. H. PEARSALL, D.Sc., F.L.S., and
W. R. GRIST, B.Sc., The University, Leeds.

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CONTENTS

PAOK

Editorial ....... 33

The Avifauna of Duddingston Loch, Midlothian — Win. Serle . 35

Notes on Scottish Coleoptera and Lepidoptera — W. R.

Brough Hynd ...... 47

Herring Gulls feeding on Starfish — Chas. Oldham . : 49

Isle of May Bird Observatory, Autumn Report, 1936 —

Midlothian Ornithological Club . . . .51

Book Notice ....... 55

The Scottish Ornithologists’ Club . . . .59

Notes :

Psyllinae {Hemiptera - Homoptera) in Dumfriesshire — Jas.
Murray , 34 ; Little Auk in Dumfriesshire — Hugh S.

Gladstone , 45 ; Little Auk at Granton — M. K. Hamilton , 45 ;
Two Rare American Birds in Scotland — A. C. Stephen , 46 ;
Albino Grass Mouse in Dumfriesshire — Arthur B. Duncan ,
46 ; Ringed Golden Plover in Skye — A. C. Stephen , 48 ;
Ringed Iceland Redwing in Harris — A. C. Stephen , 48 ; Ruff
and Little Auk in the Forth — D. I. Molteno , 48 ; Scarcity of
Swallows and House-Martins — Herbert Maxwell , 50 ; Red-
necked Grebe on Linlithgow Loch — D. /. Molteno , 50;
Ballan Wrasse in the Firth of Forth — Matthew C. Thomson ,
56 ; Smew, Slavonian Grebe and Black-necked Grebe at
Duddingston Loch — William Serle , 56; A Fight to the
Death — T. S. Halliday , 57 ; Red-necked and other Grebes
at Lochend Loch, Edinburgh — William Serle and D. I.
Molteno , 57 ; Probable Nutcracker in Lanarkshire — Walter
Stewart, 58 ; Bird Notes from the Forth — M. K. Hamilton
and A. D. Watson , 58.

PUBLISHERS’ NOTE.

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No. 225J

*9 37

[May-June

The Scottish Naturalist

A Magazine devoted to Zoology

With which is incorporated

“The Annals of Scottish Natural History”

EDITED BY

A. C. STEPHEN, D.Sc., F.R.S.E.

Keeper , Natural History Department, Royal Scottish Museum.

AND

PERCY H. GRIMSHAW, I.S.O., F.R.S.E., F.R.E.S.

Formerly Keeper , Natural History Department , Royal Scottish Museum.
ASSISTED BY

Professor JAMES RITCHIE, M.A., D.Sc.,

EVELYN’ V. BAXTER, F.Z.S., H.M.B.O.U.
LEONORA J. RINTOUL, F.Z.S., H.M.B.O.U.

H. S. GLADSTONE, M.A., F.R.S.E., F.Z.S.
C. H. O’DONOGHUE, D.Sc., F.R.S.E.
ANDERSON FERGUSSON, F.R.E.S.

A. R. WATERSTON, B.Sc.

All Articles and Communications intended for publication, and all Books, etc.,

for notice, should be sent to The Editors, Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh.

Subscriptions and Advertisements should be addressed to the Publishers,
Messrs Oliver and Boyd Ltd., Tweeddale Court, Edinburgh.

Authors of General Articles will receive 25 Reprints (in covers) of their Contributions
gratis. Additional Copies, in covers, may be had from the Printers, at the ordinary prices
ruling, provided such orders accompany the Manuscript.

EVERY NATURALIST SHOULD READ

The following major articles which have appeared in recent

numbers of The Scottish Naturalist : —

Scottish Insect Immigration Records.

Notes on Highland Diptera. (Illustrated.)

Ferrets and Polecats.

Notes on Whales stranded on the Scottish Coast. (Illustrated.)

Isle of May Bird Observatory.

The Natural History of South Rona. (Illustrated.)

The Occurrence of Gammarus in Scottish Waters.

Notes from Gairloch in Wester Ross.

Scottish Sand-eels.

Further Notes on the Parasites of the Magpie Moth.

Land Planarians of the British Isles.

Lesser Redpoll in Midlothian.

Isle of May Bird Observatory Report.

The Eider in Sutherland and Shetland.

Notes on the Birds of Loch and Forest. (Illustrated.)

Wild and Domestic Cat compared. (Illustrated.)

Kingfishers breeding in Juvenile Plumage.

As well as numerous shorter notices of interesting events in the
Wild Life of Scotland.

Printed and Published in Great Britain by Oliver and Boyd Ltd., Tweeddale Court, Edinburgh
Entered as Second Class at the New York, U.S.A. Post Office

(. Authors are responsible for nomenclature used.)

The Scottish Naturalist

No. 225] 1937 [May-June

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ISLAND OF
RAASAY AND OF THE ADJACENT ISLES
OF SOUTH RONA, SCALPAY, LONGAY, AND
FLADDAY.

The following articles deal with the fauna of the islands of Raasay,
Scalpay, Rona, Fladday, and Longay — all in the Inner Hebrides. The
investigations described were carried out in the summers of 1934,
1935, and 1936 by parties from the University of St Andrews and the
I University of Durham.

The series is edited by Professor J. W. Heslop Harrison, D.Sc., F.R.S.,
Armstrong College (University of Durham), Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and
Professor A. D. Peacock, D.Sc., University College (University of
St Andrews), Dundee.

I. THE VERTEBRATES OTHER THAN BIRDS
AND FISHES.

By J. W. Heslop Harrison, D.Sc., F.R.S.

The present list is put forward as a by-product of more
sustained efforts in connection with other groups ; never-
theless, it appears improbable that it can be greatly extended,
s Whilst it contains a few important observations, we were
disappointed in our attempts to secure specimens of the
Raasay Vole. However, it should be pointed out that the
gamekeeper on Scalpay informed us that a “ vole ” occurred
on that island. The capture and study of that form might
yield very interesting results from the zoogeographical
standpoint.

Amphibia.

J Molge vulgaris Laur. Smooth Newt.

Fairly generally distributed on Raasay, Scalpay, and
Rona, but apparently absent from all the larger lochs
225 H

62

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

except Loch Eadar da Bhaile. Permanent pools on the
more lowlying moorlands form the preferred habitats.

M. palmata Schneid. Palmate Newt.

This seems to be a new record for the Inner Hebrides,
although its presence might have been anticipated from
recent captures in Caithness. A living female was brought
home by Dr G. Heslop Harrison from the pools lying behind
Suisnish Hill, S. Raasay.

Bufo vulgaris Laur. Common Toad.

Common enough on Raasay and Scalpay. The majority
of the specimens examined on the latter island were remark-
able for their vivid red and black coloration.

Rana temporaria L. Common P'rog.

Common everywhere, even at points where there seemed
to be no water suitable for breeding purposes.

Reptilia.

Lacerta vivipara Jacq. Lizard.

Common on all the moors on Raasay, but decidedly
rarer on Scalpay. Those captured seem to be a little darker
than ordinary North of England specimens.

Viperus berus L. Common Viper.

Very common on Scalpay, but very much rarer on Raasay.

Mammalia.

Sorex araneus L. Shrew.

Common and generally distributed on Raasay. An
example taken in the gorge of the Storab Burn in 1935
was regarded by Hinton as approaching closely to the
Islay Shrew, Sorex grantiy Barrett-Hamilton and Hinton.
The whole of this year’s captures, both from the north,
centre, and south of the island, were perfectly typical.

Pipistrellus pipistrellus Schreb. Common Bat.

Abundant in the woods along the Arish Burn.

Mustela nivalis L. Weasel.

Encountered casually in south-east Raasay.

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ISLAND OF RAASAY 63

Phoca vitulina L. Common Seal.

Not uncommon on the shores of Raasay, Rona, Longay,
and Scalpay ; most plentiful in the Sound of Raasay.

Halichcerus gryphus Fab. Grey Seal.

One or two individuals seen along the northern coast
of Scalpay.

Phoccena phoccena L. Porpoise.

Quite plentiful, especially in the waters between Skye
and the islands.

Epimys norvegicus Berk. Brown Rat.

Near Inverarish, Raasay.

Mus musculus L. House Mouse.

Also in Inverarish.

Oryctolagus cuniculus L. Rabbit.

On Raasay, Rona, Scalpay, Fladday, Longay, and

Guillamon Island; perhaps least common on Rona and
Fladday. So abundant is it on Longay that grasses, even
the dominant moorland species, have become exceedingly
rare. Thus, unattacked plants, like Golden Rod ( Solidago
Virgaurea), often form pure associations. On Guillamon,

similarly, the original vegetation has been partially destroyed.

The colony on Longay comprises many curiously coloured
individuals, melanic and piebald specimens occurring freely.

Lepidus timidus L. Mountain Hare.

The subspecies L. timidus scoticus Hilz. appears to be
not uncommon on Raasay.

Cervus elaphus L. Red Deer.

Native, but now reduced to about a dozen individuals
on Raasay, although twenty-five years ago they numbered
about six hundred ; apparently taken by poachers. On
Scalpay, from the information we could collect, about
eighty now exist ; these have originated from native stocks,
strengthened by introductions from England. In addition,
some natural immigration from Skye has taken place.

64

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

II. THE LAND AND FRESHWATER MOLLUSCA.

By George Heslop Harrison, B.Sc., Ph.D.

This list represents the results of the labours of three
summers, and may be regarded as presenting a reasonably
complete picture of the Molluscan fauna of the islands in
question. Of the species it contains, all except one were
taken by myself, although the Rev. E. P. Blackburn reported
ten of them amongst the captures of his daughters, and my
father, Professor J. W. Heslop Harrison, D.Sc., F.R.S.,
supplied duplicate records of an even greater number.

I have already published a paper (SCOTTISH NATURALIST,
May-June 1936) dealing with the Mollusca of the Hebrides
and in it I included ten species, all new to V.C. 104, for
Raasay.

I should like to give my best thanks to Professor A. E.
Boycott, F.R.S., for confirming my naming of most of the
species, and to Mr Oldham who was entirely responsible
for the Pisidia.

Carychium minimum Mull. — A few among dead leaves
and under stones in the beech wood near Inverarish, Raasay.

Limncza truncatula Mull. — South Rona and Scalpay ;
rather common but local in streams and lochs, etc.

L. peregra Mull. — A very variable species and common
in streams and lochs on Rona, Fladday, Raasay, and Scalpay.
The var. inflata Kob. was not rare.

Ancylastrum fluviatile Mull. — Common on stones in the
Arish Burn, Raasay, and in streams on Scalpay.

Planorbis albus Mull. — This species was very abundant
in Loch a Mhuilinn near Inverarish, Raasay, in 1935) but
in 1936 it was very scarce indeed, only two individuals
being taken.

P. dilatatus Gould. — With the former in Loch a Mhuilinn;
no further examples have been found since I collected the
first specimens in 1935. The capture of this new Scottish
species has already been recorded in the SCOTTISH
Naturalist, March-April 1936.

nw

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ISLAND OF RAASAY 65

Succinea pfeifferi Rossm. — On grasses in damp places at
Fearns and Brochel, Raasay, and in similar situations on
1 South Rona.

Columella edentula Drap. — Raasay, Inverarish only ; a
few under stones on the sides of the upper road.

Lauria umbilicata Drap. — Quite common in walls on
Raasay.

L. anglica Fer. (= ringens Jeff.). — With the former,
Raasay only.

Vallonia excentrica Sterki. — A single specimen only, on
the lower slopes of Dun Caan. A new county record.

Ccecilioides acicula Mull. — Two examples of this species
were taken from grass roots under a large stone near
Inverarish, Raasay.

Cochlicopa lubrica Mull. — Very common in dead leaves,
grass, etc., Raasay, Rona, and Scalpay.

Goniodiscus rotundatus Mull. — Generally distributed on
the islands.

Avion intermedins Norm. (= minimus Sim.). — Raasay and
Scalpay ; the grey var. plumbea Coll, was quite frequent in
birch woods.

A. ater Linn. — Very common in its typical black form
on every island. The vars. plumbea Roe., and succinea Miill.,
and a mottled black and white form were quite frequently
observed.

Balea perversa Linn. — Rather common in old stone walls
and well up birches and mountain ashes as at Brochel,
Raasay and Scalpay.

Clausilia rugosa Drap. — Commonly on the conglomerates
near the shore on North Scalpay, on the rocks near the cave,
South Rona, and very abundant on the east coast of Raasay,
between Fearns and Brochel.

Helicella itala Linn. — Raasay only ; not abundant near
Fearns.

H. virgata Da Costa. — A few examples collected at
S.E. Fearns, Raasay.

H. caperata Mont. — Rare; with the preceding species
at Fearns, Raasay.

66

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

l

Trichia hispida Linn. — Not common amongst vegetation
on the sides of a deep gorge at Balachuirn, Raasay.

Hygromia subrufescens Miller (= fused Mont.) — Under
stones and amongst moss and decaying vegetation in the
woods on Raasay and Scalpay ; not uncommon.

Arianta arbustorum Linn. — Common and widely distri-
buted in woods, on moors and on grassy places along the
shores of Raasay, Rona, and Scalpay. Mr Blackburn reports
the var . flavescens Fer. and var . picea Rossm.

Cepcea hortensis Mull. — Near Scalpay House, Scalpay,
amongst trees ; only the bandless form, var. concolor Pic.,
was found.

C. nemoralis Linn. — Rather common in the copse near
Big Harbour, Rona, but generally distributed, though not
really abundant, on Raasay.

Euconulus fulvus Mull. — Under stones in damp places;
Raasay only.

Zonitoides excavatus Alder. — Under stones in the old
graveyard near Raasay House, Raasay, and in old buildings
near Dry Harbour, Rona.

Retinella radiatula Alder. — Rather common in moss and
under stones on Raasay.

R. pura Alder. — Obtained by sifting moss, dead leaves,
etc., in the birch woods on Raasay and Scalpay.

R. nitidula Drap. — In similar places on Raasay and
Scalpay.

Oxychilus alliarius Mull. — Common and generally distri-
buted on all the islands except Longay.

O. cellarius Mull. — Also common and well distributed on

Scalpay, Raasay, and Rona.

Vitrea crystallina Mull. — Empty shells often sifted out
of moss, etc., but no living examples detected ; Raasay and
Scalpay.

Vitrina pellucida Mull. — Common under stones, amongst
grass roots, etc., Raasay and Scalpay. The whole of the
shells were very thin and delicate, but rather larger than
usual.

Limax marginatus Mull. (= arborum Bouchard-Chanter-
eaux). — Rather variable and very common on Raasay. A

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ISLAND OF RAASAY 67

small black form which I presume to be the var. nigra Scharfif.
was occasionally met with in birch trees at higher altitudes
in some of the ravines.

Pisidium lilljeborgi Clessin. — Common in Loch Mor,
Fladday, and Loch Braig, Rona.

P. cinerum Alder. — In small lochs north of Inverarish,
Raasay, and in peat-bog holes on Scalpay.

P. milium Held. — Raasay only.

P. hibernicum West. — With P. lilljeborgi in Loch Mor,
Fladday.

P. obtusale C. Pfeiffer. — Not really common, but widely
distributed in small pools on Raasay, and in the water-filled
bog holes under Sithean Glac an I me, Scalpay.

P. pulchellum Jen. — In the lochs east of Dun Caan,
Raasay, and in the same series of lochans as P. obtusale ,
on Scalpay.

III. THYSANOPTERA FOUND ON RAASAY
AND SCALPAY.

By G. D. Morison, Ph.D., North of Scotland College of Agriculture,
Marischal College, Aberdeen.

Mr L. Comrie, B.Sc., collected on Raasay and Scalpay
between 23/7/35 and 4/8/35 many specimens of Thysanoptera
which were submitted to me for identification. The insects
were excellently preserved in alcohol, and permanent mounts
of each species were made by me and are stored in the
museum of the Natural History Department, University
College, Dundee. Considering the short time at his disposal
for collecting insects, of which the Thysanoptera were but
a small section, Mr Comrie is to be congratulated on the
numbers of specimens and the twelve species of thrips caught.
From my knowledge of the Thysanoptera of Scotland, I
suspect that at least 40 species of Thysanoptera would be
found on the two islands ; but their capture would necessitate
a sojourn on the islands from May to August inclusive, and
a knowledge of the habits of many of the species. I have
made observations on Thysanoptera in N.E. Scotland for the
last twelve years, and the following notes on the biology of

68

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

the insects are based on these observations. In the following
notes the figures I and II are used to denote the first and
second instar nymphs or larvae, as is commonly done in
writings on Thysanoptera.

Order THYSANOPTERA.

Sub-Order TEREBRANTIA.

Family A^OLOTHRIPIDAl.

ALolothrips ericce Bagnall, 3 $ $, 6 I, 6 II, Erica cinerea
Scalpay, 1/8/35. The species occurred with adults and

nymphs of Amblythrips ericce (Hal.) on the nymphs of

which both adults and nymphs of VEolothrips prey. In
N.E. Scotland the insect breeds on Erica cinerea and
E. tetralix , and less commonly on Calluna vulgaris , and the
insects probably feed on these plants as well as on various
small Arthropoda.

Family THRIPIDA:.

Aptinothrips rufus (Gmelin), 5 1 I, 1 II, Holcus ;

and Anthoxanthum , E. Raasay, 24/7/35 ; 2 H, Vicia Cracca ,
Raasay, 28/7/35 ; 20 $ ?, 8 I, 29 II, Galium palustre (?),

Brochel, Raasay, 28/7/35; 2 ? ?, 1 II, Trifolium minus ,

Brochel, Raasay, 31/7/35 ; 1 ? Teucrium Scorodonia, Brochel,
Raasay, 3/8/35. I am uncertain about the morphological
characters separating the nymphs of rufus from those of
sty lifer a, and I include under rufus all nymphs of Aptinothrips
found. A. rufus and stylifera often occur together on grass;
rufus is generally found more commonly than stylifera which
has usually been regarded as a variety of rufus.

Aptinothrips stylifera Try bom, 1 $ pupa with rufus on
Holcus and Anthoxanthum , E. Raasay, 24/7/35.

Odontothrips uzeli Bagnall, 1 9,5 II, Vicia Cracca , Raasay,
28/7/35; 85 11, Vicia Cracca , Brochel, Raasay, 31/7/35. The
host-plant of the nymphs is Vicia Cracca. The insect is
widely distributed in Europe and this is the second record
of it from Scotland. Both adults and nymphs resemble
those of loti Haliday which breeds on Lotus spp., and which
is apparently a much commoner species in Scotland.

Tceniothrips picipes (Zetterstedt), 36 ? ? , 1 cJ, Teucrium

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ISLAND OF RAASAY 69

Scorodonia, Brochel, Raasay, -3/8/35. The adults occur and
breed on many different species of annual plants belonging to
various families of Dicotyledons, and on the Monocotyledon,
Triglochin maritimum. In April both sexes appear after
hibernation and they favour Primula vulgaris on which they
breed. During July and early August the adult progeny
of the hibernated insects frequent various species of plants
of which Teucrium Scorodonia may be particularly favoured.

I suspect that the insects found by Mr Comrie belong to this
generation. Teucrium Scorodonia is one of the host-plants
of the nymphs and it usually shelters more female than male,
adults during the summer.

Tceniothrips ( ' PhysotJirips ) vulgatissimus (Haliday) 1 5 1 $ ? ,
16 (5, Angelica sylvestris ; E. Raasay,* 26/7/35; 22 9 9,

3 (J, 1 II, bramble ( Rubus fruticosus) ; 80 9 9 , 49 <3 <5 ,
9 I, 57 II, Vida Cracca; 33 9 9, 124 c? d, Chrysanthemum ;

i 6 ? ?, 17 d d , Hydrangea ; 1 ?, 11 d d > Achillea
I millefolium ; 62 9 9 , 63 d , Convolvulus major , Raasay,
28/7/35; T33 9 9 , 40 d (5, Angelica sylvestris; 1 9 Lotus
\ corniculatus ; 64 $ 9, 10 <5 d, Lilac ( Syringa ) Raasay,
29/7/35; 1 I, 5 II, FzVz'tf Cracca, Brochel, Raasay, 29/7/35;
7 ? ?, 1 c£ , 1 II, Heliotrope in hot-house, Raasay, 29/7/35 ;

4 9 ? > 36 c£ d , 4 I, 23 II, large Dock (fdumex crispus (?))
Raasay, 3/8/35; 21 ? 9, 17 <£ <£, Inula helenium , Brochel,
Raasay, 3/8/35; 1 ?, 13 c£ <£, Chrysanthemum (garden);

jj 10 9 9, 6 c£ d, Senecio Jacobcea , Raasay, 4/8/35.

This is the commonest species of Thysanopteron frequent-
ing flowers in the northern counties of Scotland where
T. atratus is almost as common. These species do not
occur so abundantly in S. England, where their place on
flowers is taken by the closely allied genus Thrips , of which
the species fuscipennis Hal. and tabaci Lind, are especially
common. P. vulgatissimus breeds on many different species
of plants belonging to different families of which Cruciferse
and Rosaceae are greatly favoured. Many specimens of
Mr Comrie’s had only just reached maturity. One female
found on Angelica 26/7/35, had an immature mite attached
! to the base of the abdomen on the under side.

* Seventy 9 9 > 36 $ $ , 7 I, 30 II, Spircea Ulmaria , Raasay.
i 225 I

7o

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

Tceniothrips ( Physothrips ) atratus (Haliday) I , Chry-
santhemum, Raasay, 4/8/35. I suspect that atratus is almost
as abundant as vulgatissimus on Raasay, and as it usually
frequents the same species of flowers as vulgatissimus , I sus-
pect that the reason why Mr Comrie did not find a large
number of specimens was that his visit was a few days
too early to catch the first generation of adults which would
have been bred on Spergula arvensis and other annual
plants. There is usually a short period during July in
N.E. Scotland when atratus is absent from flowers, though
previously females were numerous and subsequently females
and males became abundant on flowers.

Tceniothrips ( Amblyihrips ) ericce (Haliday) 44 9 9, 1 6,
35 I> 7 5 II, Erica Tetralix, Raasay, 27/7/35 J I4 ? ?, 1 I,
Erica cinerea , Brochel, Raasay, 31/7/35 ; 10 ? $, 25 I, 68 II,
Erica cinerea , Scalpay, 1/8/35. The insect breeds on Calluna
and Erica and is probably found wherever these plants grow
in the British Isles. The female is winged and it flies under
the stimulus of hot sunlight. The male is wingless and is
scarcer than the female. Winter is passed by nymphs on
their host-plants. The nymphs are unique among the
Thripidae in that the sex can be distinguished easily by the
darker colour of the male, sexual apparatus showing through
the body wall. This sexual distinction is not found in the
nymphs of the summer generation to which belong all those
caught by Mr Comrie.

Thrips fuscipennis Haliday, 17 $ ?, 8 3 6, Heliotrope
in hot-house, and 6 $ ?, Lilac, Raasay, 29/7/35. In S.
England this species is abundant on wild and cultivated
flowers and it also breeds in hot-houses. In N.E. Scotland
I suspect it to be an introduced species which is unable to
breed vigorously in the open. This idea is based on finding
the insect only in hot-houses or breeding on fruit trees in
gardens in N.E. Scotland.

Thrips tabaci Lindeman, 46 $ ? , Heliotrope in hot-house,
Raasay, 29/7/35. I suspect that this species would be found
commonly, particularly later in the year, on wild Composite
and other plants on Raasay and Scalpay.

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ISLAND OF RAASAY 71

Thrips flavus Schrank, 2 ? ? , Eupatorium cannabinum ,
1 <?, Chrysanthemum, 28/7 / 35; 1 $ , Senecio Jacobcea , 4/8/35,
Raasay.

Thrips dilatatus Uzel, 1 $ , macropterous, P edicularis ,
29/7/35, Raasay. The host-plants of the nymphs are
Euphrasia species.

(71? be continued .)

NOTES

Black-tailed Godwits at St Andrews. — Black-tailed God-
wits seem to be becoming more regular in their visits to Scotland.
A few years ago, Mr Douglas Hunter, Arbroath, said that he
believed the bird to be almost a regular autumn visitor to the
foreshore at Elliot, and we had of late observed them more
commonly than was the case in the past. This autumn and
winter they have been unusually numerous at St Andrews. On
14th October 1936, Miss Doris Wilson informed us that 6 or 7
had been frequenting the mouth of the Eden, and we saw a party
of 12 there on 9th January 1937, and 4 on 25th January, while
on 7th February 1 was with a flock of Bar-tails in Largo Bay.
Winter records of this species in Scotland are not very common.
Can these be an indication of an approaching stabilisation of
this Godwit in our country? — Evelyn V. Baxter and Leonora
Jeffrey Rintoul.

Red-necked Grebes in Scotland. — The early part of 1937
brought a good many Red-necked Grebes to Scotland. A beautiful
specimen was picked up dead in Largo Bay by Mr Alfred Eggeling
on 7th February. On 15th February I watched a Red-necked
Grebe close inshore at Kentallen in North Argyll, a first record for
this area. Mrs Gaskell saw one on Loch Lomond on 13th February.
These birds have also been seen in other parts of Scotland, records
of which will, I hope, appear in due course. — Evelyn V. Baxter.

Bittern in Aberdeenshire. — In the beginning of March 1937
a Bittern appeared at St Comb’s, Aberdeenshire. It was a fine
specimen and its appearance was probably due to the rough
weather. Although there are previous records of the Bittern in
Aberdeenshire, it is interesting to hear of this occurrence. — Leonora
Jeffrey Rintoul.

72

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

Black-throated Diver and Waxwing at Duddingston
Loch, Midlothian. — A Black-throated Diver ( Colymbus arcticus )
frequented the Loch at Duddingston from the 9th till the 27th of
February 1937, and during that period was seen almost daily, and
on many occasions at close quarters.

Identification rested mainly on the following points — distinctly
larger than a Goosander when the two were seen together; neck
thick and heavy; bill not uptilted; back not spotted with white,
but white bars showing faintly in the scapular region.

I watched a Waxwing (Bomby cilia garrulus) at the lochs ide on
nth April 1937 — a rather late date.

I have no previous record of either of these species at
Duddingston Loch. — William Serle (Junior).

Pentatomidse in Dumfriesshire. — Very few of the British
Pentatomid bugs extend into Scotland or even northern England,
so it may be of interest to note the species I have met with in
Dumfriesshire. Piezodorus lituratus Fab. is local and rare. I
found five on a bramble bush near Gretna on 31.8.1934, but only
one of these was mature. Pentatoma rufipes Lin. ; I have so far only
met with this reputedly common species once, and that was on
Nutberry Moss on 3.9.1929. Picromerus bidens Lin. occurs plenti-
fully on the peat mosses in August. Zicrona coerulea Lin. ; one
specimen of this beautiful bug was beaten from heather on Newton
Moss, the date 7.8.1934. Elasmostethus interstinctus Lin. and
Elasmucha grisea Lin. ; I used to regard these two species as some-
what rare, but during the past few years I have found both in
considerable numbers on birch in several widely separated localities.
They are most plentiful from June until well into the autumn and
I have found E. interstinctus hibernating in moss and under loose
bark. Rhacognathus punctatus Lin. ; I first found this bug in moss
on Newton Moss on 16th March 1929. Since then I have beaten
about a dozen specimens at odd times from heather on the same
moss and at Nutberry Moss, all in August. I do not expect to add
much, if anything, to this short list, but the study of Entomology is
full of surprises. — Jas. Murray, Gretna.

Black-tailed Godwits in Shetland. — During the severe
weather in January, I was storm-stayed at Grutness, Shetland, for
over a fortnight. Waders were in thousands, mainly Dunlin, but
I was interested to see that there were also a number of Black-
tailed Godwits, those I have seen on Fair Isle have always been
Bar-tails. — George Stout, Fair Isle.

BIRD NOTES FROM FAIR ISLE

73

BIRD NOTES FROM FAIR ISLE.

1936.

Compiled by George Waterston, Midlothian Ornithological Club.

Since the last paper was published in the Scot. Nat., 1936,
pp. 61 to 64, a number of interesting birds have occurred on
Fair Isle.

In the beginning of May there was an enormous rush of
birds mainly between 7th and 10th. Particulars of this rush
have already been recorded in British Birds , xxx., p. 168.

The most interesting record this year is that of the
Booted Warbler ( Hippolais caligatd) — obtained by George
Stout — it being the first occurrence of this species in the
British Isles. The Eastern Siberian form of the Ringed
Plover ( Charadrius hiaticula tundra) has not been specifically
recorded in Scotland.

Birds which have not previously been recorded on Fair
Isle are the Nuthatch, Osprey, Bittern, and Great Shearwater.

George Stout is to be again congratulated on adding
even another new bird to the British List ; while I would
also like to record my appreciation of the splendid manner
in which Jamie Wilson — son of Jerome Wilson — is keeping
daily observations, with full notes on local weather condi-
tions, etc., forwarding these to me at the end of each month.
These notes are already proving of considerable value when
correlated with migratory movements noted at the Isle of
May Bird Observatory and other stations.

L. S. V. Venables has also kindly placed a number of
valuable notes at my disposal, on observations taken during
a visit to the island when he stayed for two months during
the autumn migration. Dennis Q. Sandeman and I paid
the island a short visit in September.

Tree Sparrow (. Passer m. montanus ). — Formerly
resident in small numbers. Decreased and apparently
disappeared in 1924. Probably nested again in 1933.
Not noted again until this year, when two or three, pairs

74

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

again bred. Three adults and a few immature birds seen
in autumn 1936.

Little Bunting ( Emberiza pusilla). — Occasional this
autumn and usually single birds between 14th September
and 14th October.

Petchora Pipit (. Anthus gustavi).—G. S. who knows
this species well obtained good views of one on 19th November
1936, which had assumed winter plumage “with the white
stripes showing clear down the back.”

Nuthatch ( Sitta europoea subsp. ?). — One was seen by
G. S. on 29th and 30th May 1936. This is the first record
for the island.

Great Tit (probably Parus m. major). — One on 22nd
September.

COAL Tit (probably Parus a. ater). — This bird was
observed by L. S. V. V. down one of the steep cliffs on
2 1st September. The Coal Tit has not been recorded on
Fair Isle before.

WILLOW Tit (probably Parus atricapillus borealis). —
G. S. observed a bird of this species on 3rd November 1935
which was accompanied by three Continental Blue Tits.
The outstanding feature of this bird was the pure white on
the sides of the neck and cheeks. Unfortunately the bird
was not examined in the hand. The Northern race of this
species has not yet been recorded in Scotland.

Lesser Grey Shrike {Lanius minor). — A female
specimen was obtained by G. S. on 25th May. The previous
record was of an adult male which occurred in 1927 on
exactly the same date. (SCOT. Nat., 1928, 127.)

Yellow- browed Warbler ( Phylloscopus humei
prcemium). — According to the islanders this species has
been rather scarce on passage of late years. Two were
seen on the west cliffs by G. W., D. Q. S., L. S. V. V., and
G. S. on 13th September.

Reed Warbler (. Acrocephalus s. scirpaceus). — One
obtained and another seen by G. S. on nth May. Another
seen on 19th June by G. S. — a strange date to get this bird
on Fair Isle.

Booted Warbler (. Hippolais caligata). — As already

BIRD NOTES FROM FAIR ISLE

75

recorded in British Birds , xxx., p. 226, a female specimen
of this species new to Britain was obtained by G. S. on
3rd September 1936. The specimen is now in the collection
at the Royal Scottish Museum.

Barred Warbler ( Sylvia n. nisorid). — Small numbers
from mid-August until 23rd September.

Iceland Redwing ( Turdus m. coburni). — Numbers of
this dark, longer winged race of Redwing arrived on 23rd
September and were abundant on 5th and 10th October.

ROCK Thrush ( Monticola saxatilis). — A fine male was
seen on 16th October by L. S. V. V. It was driven from
the west cliffs by the S.W. gale and worked across the
island to the more sheltered east cliffs. The only previous
record of this species on Fair Isle is that of one recorded
by G. S. (Scot. Nat., 1931, 38) on 8th November 1931.

Continental Redbreast ( Erithacus r. rubeculd ). —
Birds of this race were observed on the island as late as
20th June by G. S.

Rough -legged Buzzard ( Buteo 1. lagopus). — One
observed by L. S. V. V. on 29th August

Osprey ( Pandion h. haliaetus'). — One was seen over the
island on 4th November 1935 by G. S. First record for
Fair Isle.

Bittern (. Botaurus s. stellaris). — One seen by G. S. on
16th and 17th May. First record for Fair Isle.

POCHARD ( Nyroca f ferina). — A duck was obtained on
23rd November 1935. This species is rare on Fair Isle.

Surf Scoter ( Oidemia perspicillatd). — An adult drake
was seen offshore by G. S. on 1st December 1936.

King Eider ( Somateria spectabilis'). — Apart from the
bird recorded on nth December 1935 (SCOT. Nat., 1936,
62), another male was observed on 31st March 1936 off the
North Haven, by G. S.

Great Shearwater (. Puffinus gravis ). — Single birds
of this species were seen off the island by L. S. V. V. on
14th and 2 1st September, and 8th October. This bird is
new to the island list.

Slavonian Grebe ( Podiceps auritus). — Two or three

76

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

were observed throughout the winter last year by G. S.
Hitherto regarded as a passage migrant only.

STOCKDOVE ( Columba cenas). — Single birds recorded by
L. S. V. V. on the following dates : — i ith and 12th September,
9th, nth, and 12th October.

Northern Ringed Plover ( Charadrius hiaticula
tundrce). — Specimens of this small race of Ringed Plover,
hitherto not specifically recorded in Scotland, were obtained
on the following dates: — One ? (wing 126 mm.) on 1st
September, a $ (wing 129 mm.) on 4th September, and two
other specimens on 23rd September. While examining the
Ringed Plovers in the collection at the Royal Scottish
Museum I came across a specimen of this race which had
been labelled “ C. h. hiaticula ,” obtained on Fair Isle by
Surgeon Rear-Admiral J. H. Stenhouse on 7th September
1923 — a juvenile 2 (wing 126 mm.). I am indebted to
Mr N. B. Kinnear for kindly substantiating the identification
of these birds.

Temminck’s Stint ( Calidris temminckii). — Several small
parties of from one to four seen between 8th and 18th
September by G. S., D. Q. S., L. S. V. V., and G. W.

Dusky Redshank ( Tringa erythropus). — Single birds
were observed by G. S. and L. S. V. V. on 31st August,
3rd, 24th, and 25th September. The only previous record
for the island is that of a male obtained by G. S. on 3rd
September 1930. (Scot. Nat., 1930, 153.)

Corncrake ( Crex crex). — A bird was flushed from its
eggs on 31st August — a fairly late breeding date.

Quail ( Coturnix c. coturnix ). — A pair bred this year, the
eggs being found when the corn was cut.

I

RECENT INVASION OF A SQUID

77

RECENT INVASION OF THE SQUID, TODARODES
SAGITTATUS (LAM.), ON THE EAST COAST
OF SCOTLAND.

By A. C. Stephen, D.Sc., Royal Scottish Museum.

The last week in February, 1937, was remarkable for an
invasion of this squid in large numbers. The area along
which these animals were stranded reached, so far as reports
have been received, from Montrose to Dunbar. In the Firth
of Forth the animals are reported to have been seen as far
west as Bo’ness.

A few stragglers appeared in the latter half of the week
ending 20th February, but the real rush seems to have begun
on Sunday and Monday, the 21st and 22nd. In the Firth of
Forth it lasted until the 24th.

Their first arrival in large numbers seems to have been on
the 20th at Montrose, where Mr Mill, writing in the Scotsman
of the 23rd February, records having seen twenty-six during
a walk of about half-a-mile along the shore.

Professor Peacock, Dundee, informs me that on the
morning of Sunday, 21st, about twenty were lying on the
sands near St Andrews, and about thirty-three between
Broughty Ferry and Monifieth. A day or so later some
forty were reported as having been stranded at Buddon
Ness. Quantities were also reported from the Tayport
sands.

The strandings were perhaps more extensive in the
Firth of Forth, where the animals were found in varying
numbers from Dunbar to Bo’ness on the south side, and
on the north side from between North Queensferry and
Inverkeithing. On Sunday, 21st, one observer informed me
that “ there was about a cartload on Cramond beach.” On
Monday, 22nd, over seventy were reported as being stranded
between Cramond and Granton. On the same day a
correspondent, walking from Aberlady to North Berwick,
reported the following numbers as having been seen on the
way: Aberlady, 12; Dirleton, 2; West Bay, North Berwick,
4; East Bay, North Berwick, 10.

225

K

78

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

Large numbers came ashore at Joppa and Portobello,
some being still alive. The specimens which had been dead
for some time were very pale, while the living ones, or those
recently dead, were red in colour. This gave rise to the
idea that two species were involved, a red one and a
white one.

Regarding the strandings at Portobello we were fortunate
in having Mr Eric Lomax on the spot. He took a special
interest in the matter, not only making estimates of the
numbers stranded, but also measuring a series. The
appended tables are the result of his observations.

Date.

February.

Tide.

Length
of Shore
in Yards
Searched.

Number

Seen.

Average
per 1000
Yards.

Number

Measured.

1 8 th

8.9 p.m.

860

I

1-2

I

19th

8.42 a.m.

860

3

3*5

20/2 1st

f 10-54 P-m-
\11.31 a.m.

4200

168

40

...

2i/22nd

f 1 1. 31 a.m
\ 12.15 a-m*

200

12

60

9

22nd

12.45 p.m.

200

28

140

24

23rd

1. 1 8 a.m.

1350

249

185

154

23rd

1-45 P-m.

1350

none —

unfavourable wind

24th

2.10 a.m.

4200

659

157

38

24th

2.27 p m.

4200

9

2

5

Total specimens counted, 1129.

Table showing the measurements : —

n

I

Body-length in
Inches.

Date of Stranding.
February.

Body-length in
Inches.

Date of Stranding.
February.

22nd.

23rd.

24th.

22nd.

23rd.

24th.

6-i — 7-0

I

14-1 — 15.O

6

23

9

7-1 — 8-o

I

i 5-t — 1 6-o

2

17

2

8-i — q-o

I

I

16-1 — 17-0

2

25

1

9-1 — io-o

17-1 — 18-0

5

3

IO-I — 1 1-0

2

7

2

i8-i — 19-0

3

6

1 1 -I — 12-0

2

16

2

19-1 — 20-0

3

2

I2-I — 13-0

5

30

7

20-1 — 21-0

1

13-1 — i4-o

4

23

2

It is interesting to note also that in March 1936, a
similar, but much smaller invasion, took place. Some ten

RECENT INVASION OF A SQUID 79

J were stranded at St Andrews and others at Portobello. For
the particulars of the specimens stranded at Portobello, I am
| again indebted to Mr Eric Lomax. These particulars are
shown in the appended table.

Date.

Tide.

Number Stranded.

Length of the Body in Inches.

12.3.36

a.m.

I

I3.3.36

p.m.

4

a.m.

11

n

p.m.

1 2

14-3-36

a.m.

J

30.3.36

a.m.

1

10

4.4.36

a.m.

7

I2-I, 9-7, 9*5» 9*3, 9-2, 8-6, 8-o

5-5.36

a.m.

2

13-5, 8-2

7.5-36

p.m.

1

8-6

26.5.36

p.m.

1

8-o

While the greatest numbers seem to have come ashore
! from Angus to Haddington, a few were stranded elsewhere.

Mr Bruce, writing in the Scotsman of the 8th March, stated
! that numbers were stranded on the sands of Symbister early
in February. While no specimens are available for examina-
tion, they probably belonged to this species.

One was caught at Scapa Pier, Orkney, on the 8th March,
and kindly forwarded to the Royal Scottish Museum by
Mr James G. Marwick, Stromness.

Todarodes sagittatus is found in the Mediterranean, on
the coasts of France and Portugal, around Britain, north
to Norway and the White Sea. A few individuals are
* washed up on our shores in most winters but mass strandings
like the present are unusual. The question has been often
asked as to why so many of these animals should have been
washed up at one time when there was no storm to drive
them in. The species is one which usually lives in the open
sea and does not inhabit our inshore waters. On coming into
the estuaries of the Forth and Tay the animals would meet
water of lower salinity than occurs in the open North Sea or
I the waters to the north of Scotland, and it is possible that
they may have been slowly poisoned. It has been suggested
that these animals came inshore to spawn and were driven
up by the tide, but this does not seem to be the case as a
number of specimens, both male and female, examined in the

8o

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

museum were found to be immature. Professor Peacock
also informs me that such as he examined were also
immature.

At times this species appears in large numbers in
the waters to the north of Scotland, as for example in
1930 and 1931, when, according to the Annual Reports of the
Fishery Board for Scotland for these years, it appeared in
enormous numbers. They were first reported from the drift-
net catches in Shetland in 1930, and by July 1931 had spread
south and were infesting the upper water layers on all the
principal drift-net herring fishing grounds as far south as
Peterhead.

Ballan Wrasse (Labrus bergylta, Day) at North Berwick.

— It may interest Mr Matthew C. Thomson that I have been securing
specimens of the Ballan Wrasse at quite frequent intervals during
the last four years.

It April 1933 I caught two of 6 cms. and 3J cms. in a shallow
rock pool at Point Garry, and Dr Stephen kindly identified them
for me. In June 1935 a large specimen of 29 cms. was captured in
crab creels by the local fishermen off the island Craigleith. During
the summer months of 1935 and 1936 fair numbeis were caught by
anglers at the various angling points, but the average length varied
from 15 to 19 cms.

Up to the present, I have neither seen or heard any reports
of the Corkwing Wrasse ( Labrus mixtus ) locally, and should be
interested to have any further information regarding this fish. —
K. H. Balmain, North Berwick.

Black-necked Grebe ( Podlceps n. nigricollis) at North
Berwick. — I read with much interest the reports of the Black-
necked Grebe in the Lothians, which appeared in the March/April
number of the Scottish Naturalist.

On the 7th February I found a dead female at the “Whiskey
Bottle ” (a local reservoir). Unfortunately, its neck was stripped of
flesh and feathers, presumably by rats. However, its identification
characters were predominant.

This bird, like many others, was driven inland by the fierce
north-easterly gales which were raging at the time. — K. H. Balmain,
North Berwick.

HERRING GULLS FEEDING ON STARFISH

81

HERRING GULLS FEEDING ON STARFISH.

By J. M. Dewar, M.D.

Mr Oldham’s interesting observations on Herring Gulls
feeding on starfish (SCOT. Nat., 1937, p. 49) show that the
gullet is not so delicate as I supposed. Mr Oldham has
also shown that Herring and Common Gulls can swallow
starfish whole, although not without a great deal of gulping
and straining. Often the bird failed in the act and had to
abandon the starfish. This is in keeping with my experience.
I found it impossible to fold up the rays of an intact star so
that none of the spiny tubercles came into action. The
resistance which these tubercles offer in one direction of
motion is considerable, and may account for the difficulty
the gulls, watched by Mr Oldham, had in swallowing the
starfish. Mere bulk cannot account for the difficulty, as the
removal of one ray makes very little difference in that
respect. But, after a ray is removed, the starfish, taken in
the proper way, slides down the throat evenly and without
much trouble. And so far, I have not seen any failures.
There may have been choice for size of course, as some stars
are far too large to be ingested by any method short of a
preliminary breaking-up into fragments.

Why the Herring Gull shakes the starfish is, I admit,
not quite clear. Superfluous sand is not always the reason.
Where Herring Gulls have been feeding on starfish, I have
not found the remaining starfish visibly covered with sand.
On one occasion I saw a starfish taken from the water
before it sank. This star must have been clean, and yet it
was dealt with in the way I have tried to describe. One
would think that the Herring Gull with its powerful cutting
beak would bite through the ray, and do it with ease. But,
birds do not always do the obvious. A parallel case is the
Herring Gull and the edible crab {Cancer). The gull does
not snip the limbs off, but shakes them off. After it breaks
into the body of the crab, the bird seemingly cannot cut
away pieces of flesh, but must seize a portion of flesh, and

82

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

holding the flesh in the beak shake the crab vigorously until
the piece is detached.

As a reason for gulls swallowing starfish whole, I suggest
that where the gulls are numerous and there are not many
starfish, competition may force the gulls to gobble up the
stars as quickly as possible. Mr Oldham will be able to
say if this explanation is applicable to the gulls under his
observation.

Red-necked Grebe in East Renfrewshire. — On 21st March

1:937, we observed a Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps griseigena griseigena)
on Balgray Dam, East Renfrewshire. The bird was fairly tame and
we had excellent views of it as it swam and dived about ten yards
from the shore.

On consulting the literature, this would appear to be only the
fourth record for the Clyde area.— Philip A. Clancey and Nicol
Hopkins.

Red-necked Grebes at Musselburgh. — In view of the
recent influx of Red-necked Grebes, it may be of interest to mention
that two have also visited Musselburgh — one on the 26th February
and the other on the 14th of March. The second bird was in
transitional plumage and showed a large amount of red on the
neck. — D. I. Molteno, Loretto.

Golden Oriole in Peeblesshire. — As I entered the village of
Carlops, Peeblesshire, on Sunday nth April, my attention was
suddenly arrested by the flight of a yellow bird slightly larger than
a Blackbird.

Knowing it was something uncommon, I, along with two friends,
watched it carefully. With the aid of my field-glasses I was able to
obtain a splendid view of the bird as it sat on a dyke on the opposite
side of the road, and was surprised at it allowing us to get within
30 or 40 feet of it. The head was of a pale yellow and the whole
of the body with the exception of the wings, which appeared to be
very dark, was of a brilliant yellow. On the sides of the wings
appeared small patches of white, there were also white streaks on
the tip of the tail.

A visit to the Royal Scottish Museum proved it undoubtedly
to be the Golden Oriole. The bird observed in Carlops is larger
than the one in the Museum, the stuffed specimen being a young
adult male. — William Short, Edinburgh.

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES TO ORNITHOLOGY

83

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES TO “A CONTRIBUTION
TO THE ORNITHOLOGY OF WEST LANARK-
SHIRE AND EAST RENFREWSHIRE.”

(Territory covered — The White Cart and its Tributaries.)
By Philip Alexander Clancey, Glasgow.

The following list of additions and corrections now brings
my previous one in the Scottish Naturalist (1936, pp.
87-91, 123-4) up to date to the end of 1936.

My two lists, when taken in conjunction with that of
Mr Nicol Hopkins (see Scot. Nat., 1936, p. 139), should
form a reliable guide to the birds of this region.

Several species now given were purposely left out of
my last paper, owing to insufficient knowledge of their
distribution and status.

1 a. The PIooded Crow, Corvus cornix cornix Linnaeus.

Occurs on the moors.

8a. The Siskin, Spinus spinus (Linnaeus).

An occasional winter visitor.

10 a. The Twite, Carduelis flavirosiris bensonorum (Meinertzhagen).
Breeds in very small numbers on the Eaglesham and Mearns
moors.

1 2 a. The Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla Linnaeus.

A rather uncommon winter visitant.

2 3 a. The White Wagtail, Motacilla alba alba Linnaeus.

Occasional during passage.

30A. The Continental Golden-crested Wren, Regulus regulus
regulus (Linnaeus).

One record. (See British Birds , xxx., p. 226.)

3 1 a. The Pied Flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca hypoleuca (Pallas).
A pair observed in East Renfrew on 9.V.1936. (See British
Birds , xxx., p. 44.)

3 a. The Wood Warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix sibilatrix
(Bechstein).

Breeds in small numbers at Pollok and Darnley Glen,
Renfrewshire. Rare elsewhere.

33B. The Grasshopper Warbler, Locustella nczvia ncevia
(Boddaert).

A rather rare summer visitor. Bred in Pollok estate in 1935.

84

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

40 a. The Continental Song-Thrush, Turdus ericetorum philomelus
Brehm.

Two females obtained in East Renfrewshire on the 7.xii.i935
and the 12.xii.1936 respectively, have proved to be of
this race.

43 a. The Greenland Wheatear, CEnanthe cenanthe leucorrhoa
(Gmelin).

One observed near Eaglesham on the 8. v. 1936. A very shy
bird.

45. The Hebridean Stonechat, Saxicola torquata theresce
Meinertzhagen.

This and not Saxicola t. hibernans is the breeding form in
this region. (See British Birds xxx., p. 259.)

45A. The Redstart, Phcenicurus phoenicurus phcenicurus (Linnaeus).

Occasional on passage.

4 7 a. The Hebridean Hedge-Sparrow, Prunella modularis
hebridium Meinertzhagen.

The predominating form in this region. (For further
information concerning the status of this race, and Prunella
m. occidentalism see British Birds , xxx., p. 259.)

5 7 a. The Short-eared Owl, Asio flammeus flammeus (Pontoppidan).

Very occasional during autumn and early spring.

59A. The Little Owl, Athene noctua vidalii Brehm.

A single example was observed near Eaglesham, Renfrewshire,
on the 18.iv.1936.

60. The Merlin, Palco columbarius oesalon Tunstall.

Mr E. Richmond Paton kindly informs me that it does
breed in East Renfrewshire.

64. The Heron, Ardea cinerea cinerea Linnaeus.

A pair bred in East Renfrewshire in 1936.

65 a. The Whooper Swan, Cygnus cygnus cygnus (Linnaeus).

A pair observed flying north-west over Cathcart, Renfrewshire,
on the 5.V.1936.

65B. The White-fronted Goose, Anser albifrons (Scopoli).

A party of nearly thirty observed near East Kilbride,
Lanarkshire, on the i.i.1934.

76A. The British Oyster - catcher, Hcematopus ostralegus
Occident alis Neumann.

One on Balgray Dam, Renfrewshire, on the 16.viii.1936.

77. The Ringed Plover, Charadrius hiaticu 'la hiaticula Linnaeus.

From recent observation appears to be fairly frequent at the
larger sheets of water in the autumn.

supplementary notes to ornithology

85

92. The British Lesser Black-backed Gull, Larus fuscus
greet Isii Brehm.

A flock of between twenty and thirty adults, and juveniles
remained on Waulkmill Glen Dam throughout the summer
of 1936.

96. The British Black Grouse, Lyrurus tetrix britannicus
Witherby and Lonnberg.

Mr E. Richmond Paton informs me that it is nearly extinct
in this region.

NOTES

Smew at Pair Isle. — On or about 20th January a pair of
Smews were on the small loch near the North Lighthouse on Fair
Isle. While these have been seen occasionally along the shore, I
do not think they have been seen on land before. — George Stout,
Fair Isle.

Smews in Forth. — On 30th December 1936 we saw a Smew
on Linlithgow Loch. It was close to the island and rather shy, but
we got a good view of it.

This bird was subsequently seen by other observers on the
18th and 28th February. On the 21st March two were seen.

Mr John Rintoul and Mrs Gaskell saw a full plumaged drake
Smew close inshore in Largo Bay on 14th February 1937. —
Leonora Jeffrey Rintoul and Evelyn V. Baxter.

Smew in Perthshire. — On 22nd April 1937, I observed a
fine old drake Smew ( Mergus albellus ) on Loch Dochart near
Crianlarich ; it was in company with some Golden-eye and appeared
to be on very good terms with them. This is, I think, an unusual
bird to see so far inland and on such a date. — D. I. Molteno,
Loretto.

Green Woodpecker in Fife. — In spring 1933, a Green
Woodpecker was identified at Brankstone, Bogside, Fife. It
appeared to be a single bird. — Janet Hamilton Meigle,
Brankstone.

Cormorants in East Renfrewshire. — As Cormorants
( Phalacrocorax carbo carbo) in any number are of very rare
occurrence in East Renfrewshire, it would seem desirable to record
that we saw six on Balgray Dam on 21st March 1937. — Philip
A. Clancey and Nicol Hopkins.

225

L

86

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

BOOK NOTICES

Palaeontology, Invertebrate: 7th Edition. By HENRY WOODS,

M.A., F.R.S., Cambridge University Press, 1937. Price 10s. 6d. net.
As in previous editions, this is an essential aid to the early Student of
invertebrate palaeontology. The author gives a concise but clear
summary of the anatomy of recent forms, relating this wherever possible
to fossil types, thus giving a living and functional aspect to palaeontology.
In this edition, under the class heading, any further range of a particular
genus discovered during the past twelve years is given and the number
of deviating genera amplified. The necessary revision of nomenclature
has also been made. A comprehensive and well-illustrated text-book.

The Beauty of Butterflies, with Introduction by JULIAN Huxley.
London, 1937: B. T. Batsford, Ltd., iUxB". 12 coloured plates and
4 pages of Introductory Text by Professor Adolf Portmann. Price
5s. 6d. net. This is one of a series of publications issued under the
general heading, “Art and Nature in Colour.” The book is printed, both
text and plates, in Switzerland, and this may account for the fact that a
few typographical errors in the text have been overlooked. The plates
are superb, portraying over forty species of tropical Butterflies more
faithfully than in any other work of our acquaintance. No fewer than
eleven colour prints are combined to produce the delicate shades so
often seen in these attractive insects, and the result is well-nigh perfect.
The book does not claim to possess much scientific value, appealing
mainly to the aesthetic sense ; nevertheless, the few pages of text furnish
a readable sketch of the uses of colour in affording protection through
resemblance to environment, mimicry and so on. The price of the book
is exceedingly moderate.

A Modern Biology. By E. J. Holmes and R. D. Gibbs.
Cambridge University Press, pp. xv-f272, with 163 figs, and index,
1937. Price 3s. 6d. This book is written for children of the senior
school who already possess an acquaintance of living things through
Nature Study. The text is beautifully lucid but stresses function rather
than structure. The authors have covered a large field and are to
be complimented on their judicious selection of subjects. Protoplasm,
Skeleton, Movement, Food, Energy, Water, Temperature, Co-ordination
and Behaviour, Reproduction, Growth and Hygiene, are only a few of the
subjects discussed. The book should appeal not only to school children,
for whom it is primarily written, but also to those naturalists who wish
to enquire into the fundamental properties of animals and plants.

A Moth-Hunter’s Gossip. By P. B. M. Allan. London : Philip
Allan and Co., Ltd., pp. 310, 4 plates, and index, 1937. Price 7s. 6d. net.
This is essentially a popular book for the lepidopterist. The author
tells us in his preface “ this book is riot a serious, still less a scientific
treatise on entomology, but merely tittle-tattle about certain moths
which happen to interest me.” Mr Allan is well acquainted with the
early works on insect life and has brought together many interesting
facts about our larger moths. His light style and an occasional humorous
anecdote make the book pleasant reading.

THE SCOTTISH ONYCHIURID /E

87

CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS A KNOWLEDGE
OF THE SCOTTISH ON YCHIURIDTE (COLLEM-
BOLA), II.

By Richard S. Bagnall, D.Sc., F.R.S.E.

This is continued from Scot. Nat., 1935, pp. m-117. In
Part I. eleven species (one doubtful) of Scottish Onychiurince
were recorded and in the present part I deal with a further
eighteen species, of which Onychiurus magnicornis sp.n.,
0. subcequalis sp.n., O. celticus sp.n., O. waterstoni sp.n.,
0. thalassophilus sp.n., O. imminutus sp.n., O. pygmceus sp.n.,
0. subambulans Den., O. rectospinatus Stach, O. bearei sp.n. and
0. laminatipes sp.n. are brought forward as British for the first
time, whilst O. stachi Bagn. has only recently been described
from a single Edinburgh example. I further add records of
eleven species of Tullbergiince — the descriptions of all but
two of which have appeared in “The British Tullbergiincz ,”
Parts I. and II. Of the exceptions, Mesaphorura tlialas-
sophila sp.n. is an interesting addition to the growing list
of halophiles found on the Dalmeny coast, and with O.
iowensis Mills will be more closely described in “ The British
Tullbergiince^ Part III. I have pleasure in dedicating two
species described herein to Prof. Sir Thomas Hudson Beare
(who encouraged me considerably in my early entomological
days) and to A. R. Waterston respectively.

Onychiurince ( continued ).

Kalaphorura burmeisteri Lubb.

Rare in the North of England and becoming common towards
the South, the following is the first Scottish record.

Edinburgh, in a garden, vi.31.

armatus Group.

Onychiurus armatus (Tullb.).

A common and somewhat variable species of which I am
accumulating considerable material for the purpose of study. I
have taken a few examples of the vars. inennis Axel. (1905) and
denticulata Handsch. (1924) in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh.

88

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

Onychiurus magnicornis sp.n.

Near fiavescens Bagn. but smaller and white in colour. The pso.
are large and ringed though not so large as in fiavescens and
disposed much as in that species. The PAO is composed of 36-40
tubercles which touch each other laterally. The foot is not so long
as in fiavescens , the claw armed with a tooth and the empodial
appendage much as in that species. The AH are noticeably larger
than in fiavescens and are c. 3-0 times as long as laterally broad
before base, and o- 6-0-7 the length of the hind claw. The longest
bristles of Abd. VI are 2-0-2- 5 times the length of the AH. The
following table will serve to distinguish the species : —

Size larger, 2- 5-3-0 mm., colour primrose to daffodil yellow
with legs and antennae white. PAO with 28-32 tubercles.
Feet longer and the AH shorter, 0-35-0-4 the length of
hind foot. Longest bristle of Abd. VI 3-0 to 3-5 times
the length of AH . . O. fiavescens Bagn.

Size smaller, i-6-i-8 mm. Colour, white. PAO with 36-
42 tubercles. Feet shorter and AH larger, c. 0.6 to 0.7
the length of hind foot. Longest bristles of Abd. VI
2-o to 2-5 times as long as AH . O magnicornis sp.n.

Yorks: Ravenscar, ix.34 (type and paratypes). Scotland,
Gleneagles, viii.34, several, and Pentlands, xii.34, several.

The following key will serve to separate two minute species in
which the pso. of the hind margin of the head as well as the dorsal pso .
of Abd. V number 2 + 2. The foot in both species is small, the claw
simple, and the empodial appendage shorter than the claw.

One pair of dorsal body bristles considerably longer than
the others, the second pair on Abd. V in the type example
being twice as long as the outer long seta and 3-0 times as
long as the AH . . . O. stachi Bagn.

Longer dorsal bristles of the abdomen subequal, those of
Abd. V about twice the length of the AH.

O. subcequalis sp.n.

Onychiurus subcequalis sp.n.

Length o-8 mm. Very close to O. stachi , both species of which
agree in having a short PAO with only 18-22 tubercles and in
that the outmost of the 3 pso. at base of antenna is noticeably
remote from the other two. The arrangement of pso. is as in stachi ;
the foot is short and c. 1-2 to 1-25 times the length of the AH
which are stouter than in stachi and slightly curved. The species

THE SCOTTISH 0NYCH1URID ^

89

is immediately distinguished by the nature of its chsetotaxy. In
stachi the second pair of the dorsal major-bristles of each body
segment IV and V are longer than the others, those on Abd. V
being c. 2-0 times as long as the outer major setae and 3-0 times
as long as the AH. In subcequalis these major setae are subequal
in length and c. 2-0 times the length of the AH.

Edinburgh district: Arthur’s Seat, i.35 ; Corstorphine, iv.35
(type and paratypes); Cramond, iv.35.

Perthshire, Gleneagles, viii.34. Ayrshire, Skelmorlie Hydro,
garden, vi.35 (A. C. Stephen), and Roxburghshire, Hawick, 26.L37.

Durham, Ryhope Dene, vi.34; Yorks, Speeton, 30.ix.34; and
Essex, Epping Forest near Loughton, xi.34.

Onychiurus stachi Bagn.

1 935? Vasculum , vol. xxi., p. 102.

A minute species described from a single example found in an
Edinburgh field, iv.35, an<^ since found in other localities.

Onychiurus celticus sp.n.

Except for the strongly characteristic AH this species closely
resembles O. scoticus , and may be distinguished by the characters
given in the following table : —

AH short, obconical and about 3-0 times as long as
laterally broad before base. Hind foot more than 2-0
times as long as AH . . O. scoticus Bagn.

AH long, slender, and usually abruptly bent near apex,
4-0 to 5-0 times as long as broad before base. Hind
foot i*5 to i-6 times as long as AH . O. celticus sp.n.

A third species falls in this group (in which the hind margin of
the head is furnished with 2 + 2 pso., obliquely placed, but the
dorsal series of Abd. V number 3 + 3), namely O. pseudarmatus
Fols., a large Alaskan species in which the PAO is composed of some
40 crowded tubercles.

Dalmeny Estate, several examples found under stones below
high-water mark, ii.35 (type and paratypes) and Skelmorlie shore,
high-water mark, 11. vi.35 (A. C. Stephen), 1 only.

Onychiurus halophilus nom. nov.

for Onychiurus littoralis Bagnall 1935 Scot. Nat. (July- Aug.)

1935, P- ri4j nec Durkop 1935 Schr. naturuwiss. Ver.

Schleswig-Holstein , xxi., p. 133, figs.

On or before the first week in June 1935 Herr Heinrich

go

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

Diirkop published a brief comparative description of an halophilus
species of Onychiurus under the name of littoralis thus invalidating
my use of that name a few months later.

The species described by Diirkop is undoubtedly O. debilis
(Mon.) Den., so that littoralis Diirkop becomes yet another
synonym of that interesting little halophile.

It should be noted that this species may be regarded as belonging
to the debilis group by the structure of its PAO and the laminate
empodial appendage. It is a very strongly characterised species.
I have remounted my original material and find that the pso. at
hind margin of head number 4 + 4 which are quadrangularly placed,
and not 3 + 3 triangularly placed as originally described.

Onychiurus daviesi Bagn.

Argyllshire and Dumbartonshire. Not uncommon on the
shores of Loch Long, vii.35.

Outer Hebrides, Barra, i example (Waterston) with O. water-
stoni sp.n..

{To be continued .)

Bird Notes from the Forth Area. — During February 1937,
many birds were cast ashore along the south side of the Firth of'
Forth. All were victims of oil. A note of these, and the other
species seen, may be of interest.

1. Seafield.

Great Crested Grebe. — Two were killed on the sands on

cleaned of oil. Another was washed up dead on 18th February.
All these birds were oiled. Two others were seen alive on
24th February.

Little Grebe. — One found dead, 10th February.

Red-necked Grebe. — One seen on 12th February, and again
on 2 1st February in company with a drake Goosander.

Red-throated Diver. — One, oiled, found dead, 17th February.

Long-tailed Duck. — One was found dead, also a victim of
oil, about icth February.

Scaup. — A number of live ones were seen and three dead birds,
oiled, were seen between 10th and 17th February.

NOTES

9i

Knot. — Twenty live ones were seen on 12th February.

Purple Sandpiper. — Three were seen resting on the sewer
on 1 2th February.

Whooper Swan. — One immature was seen on 12th February
and four adults on 14th February.

2. Portobello , 13th February.

Eider Duck. — One dead bird, oiled.

Great Crested Grebe. — Three seen at Joppa end.

3. Aberlady Bay , 20th February.

Scaup. — One bird found dead, oiled. Three others seen oiled,
mostly a patch at the tail.

Velvet Scoter. — Four oiled birds were found.

Red-throated Diver. — One oiled dead bird found at Gullane
point.

Shelduck. — This was an unusual victim, but it was also oiled.

Guillemots. — Three dead birds, oiled, were found. — Tom
Spence and Gordon Shearer, Edinburgh.

Note on Scottish Hemiptera-Heteroptera — Cimex colum-
barius Jen. — In June 1936 a species of Cimex was found to be
infesting rat cages at the Institute of Animal Genetics, University
of Edinburgh.

Specimens submitted to Mr W. E. China of the British Museum
(Natural History) were considered to be more typical of Cimex
columbarius Jen. than of C. lectularius L., and he suggested the
possibility that C. columbarius is a physiological subspecies of
C. lectularius dependent on environment. On this hypothesis
C. columbarius from an avian host tends to become more like
C. lectularius when transferred to a mammal.

The ratio of the fourth antennal joint to the third is 0-67 : 1 in
C. lectularius and 0-75:1 in C. columbarius. Of thirty-two males
of this, material, eight gave a ratio of 0-73 : 1, seven of 0-67 : 1, and
five of 0-69 : i. The remainder showed variations ranging between
0-63:1 and 0-76:1, not more than three specimens having the
same ratio.

Ploiariola culiciformis DeG. — A specimen of this Reduviid
was taken at the Institute of Animal Genetics on 6th April 1937.
Saunders (1892) and Jones (1930) record it from the thatch of
houses and faggots. — H. D. Slack, Institute of Animal Genetics,
University of Edinburgh,

Zhc Scottish ©rnitbologists’ Club

(Official Section)

Second General Meeting, Session I.

Miss L. J. Rintonl presided at the Second General Meeting of
the Club, which was held in the McLellan Galleries, Glasgow, on
2nd April, at 7.15 p.m. There was an attendance of about seventy
persons.

Paper by Mr Arthur B. Duncan on Some Remarks on the Birds
of the Outer Hebrides , with special reference to subspecies.

The lecturer opened with some general remarks on subspecies,
stating that they could be divided into two types : (a) Environmental
— those exhibiting certain characteristics such as differences in
pigmentation, etc., probably caused by climate and soil conditions;
(b) Mutational — those showing definite characteristics of a heritable
nature. It was the opinion of the lecturer that if a subspecies of an
environmental type such as the Hebridean Stonechat was removed
to the South of England, and bred there in isolation, it would
change in a few generations to the race inhabiting that area. In
the Mutational type of subspecies, the characteristics were clearly
heritable — the Golden Plover was cited as an instance. It is of
such material that species are made, in fact these subspecies are
on an entirely different plane from the many environmental races.
Mr Duncan would go further and suggest that these mutational
races are in reality worthy of elevation to some such class as
“ Geographical Species.” All Hebridean races are environmental,
and he suggested that the views held by Col. Meinertzhagen
(Ibis, 1934) may meantime be taken as giving the most probable
explanation — high water content of the air and lack of bright sun-
shine, giving a low amount of violet ray radiation in the year.
The lecturer then gave details of some of the Hebridean races
and stated that he considered that the Dipper was probably
represented by an environmental race in the Isles, but this had
not been properly investigated yet.

A short discussion ensued.

Lantern Lecture by the Rev. J. M. McWilliam on St Kilda and

Mr McWilliam began by expressing his regret that Lord Dumfries,
who was to have given the lecture jointly with him, was unable to
be present.

After giving a brief description of the islands composing the
St Kilda group and what birds were to be seen there during the
breeding season, the lecturer then exhibited a range of some fine
slides of views of the islands.

October was suggested as a suitable date for the next meeting,
to be held in Edinburgh.

The meeting closed at 9.20 p.m.

its Birds .

92

A Vertebrate Fauna of Forth

By LEONORA JEFFREY RINTOUL and EVELYN V. BAXTER

With 16 full-page illustrations and a map of
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CONTENTS

PAQS

The Natural History of the Island of Raasay and of the
Adjacent Isles of South Rona, Scalpay, Longay, and
Fladday {to be continued ) : —

I. The Vertebrates other than Birds and Fishes~y. W.

Heslop Harrison . . . . .61

II. The Land and Freshwater Mollusca — George Heslop

Harrison ...... 64

III. Thysanoptera found on Raasay and Scalpay — G . D.

Morison ...... 67

Bird Notes from Fair Isle — George Waterston . . *73

Recent Invasion of the Squid, Todarodes sagittatus, on the

East Coast of Scotland — A. C. Stephen . . -77

Herring Gulls feeding on Starfish— J. M. Dewar . . 81

Supplementary Notes to “A Contribution to the Ornithology of
West Lanarkshire and East Renfrewshire” — Philip A.
Clancey ....... 83

Book Notices ....... 86

Contributions towards a Knowledge of the Scottish Onychiuridce

(Collembola) II. {to be continued) — R . S. B agnail . 87

The Scottish Ornithologists’ Club . . . .92

Notes :

Black-tailed Godwits at St Andrews — Evelyn V. Baxter and
Leonora Jeffrey Rintoul , 71 ; Red-necked Grebes in Scotland — :
Evelyn V. Baxter , 71 ; Bittern in Aberdeenshire — Leonora
Jeffrey Rintoul, 71 ; Black-throated Diver and Waxwing at
Duddingston Loch, Midlothian — William Serle, jun ., 72 ;
Pentatomidae in Dumfriesshire — Jas. Murray, 72 ; Black-tailed
Godwits in Shetland — George Stout, 72 ; Ballan Wrasse at
North Berwick — K. H. Balmain, 80 ; Black-necked Grebe at
North Berwick — K. H. Balmain , 80 ; Red-necked Grebe in
East Renfrewshire — Philip A. Clancey and Nicol Hopkins,
82 ; Red-necked Grebes at Musselburgh — D. /. Molteno , 82 ;
Golden Oriole in Peeblesshire — William Short, 82 ; Smew at
Fair Isle — George Stout, 85 ; Smews in Forth — Leonora
Jeffrey Rintoul and Evelyn V Baxter, 85 ; Smew in Perth-
shire— D. /. Molteno, 85 ; Green Woodpecker in Fife — Janet
Hajnilton Meigle, 85 ; Cormorants in East Renfrewshire —
Philip A. Clancey and Nicol Hopkins, 85 ; Bird Notes
from the Forth Area — Tom Spence and Gordon Shearer, 90 ;
Note on Scottish Hemiptera-Heteroptera — H. D. Slack, 91.

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ASSISTED BY

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F R S E

EVELYN* V. BAXTER, F.Z.S., H.M.B.O.U.
LEONORA J. RINTOUL, F.Z.S., H.M.B.O.U.

H. S. GLADSTONE, M.A., F.R.S.E., F.Z.S.
C. H. O’DONOGHUE, D.Sc., F.R.S.E.
ANDERSON FERGUSSON, F.R.E.S.

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EVERY NATURALIST SHOULD READ

The following major articles which have appeared in recent

numbers of The Scottish Naturalist

Scottish Insect Immigration Records.

Notes on Highland Diptera. (Illustrated.)

Ferrets and Polecats.

Notes on Whales stranded on the Scottish Coast. (Illustrated.)

Isle of May Bird Observatory.

The Natural History of South Rona. (Illustrated.)

The Occurrence of Gammarus in Scottish Waters.

Notes from Gairloch in Wester Ross.

Scottish Sand-eels.

Further Notes on the Parasites of the Magpie Moth.

Land Planarians of the British Isles.

Lesser Redpoll in Midlothian.

Isle of May Bird Observatory Report.

The Eider in Sutherland and Shetland.

Notes on the Birds of Loch and Forest. (Illustrated.)

Wild and Domestic Cat compared. (Illustrated.)

Kingfishers breeding in Juvenile Plumage.

As well as numerous shorter notices of interesting events in the
Wild Life of Scotland.

Printed and Published in Great Britain by Oliver and Boyd Ltd., Tweeddale Court, Edinburgh
Entered as Second Class at the New York, U.S.A. Post Office

(. Authors are respotisible for nomenclature used.)

The Scottish Naturalist

No. 226] 1937 [July-August

THE IMMIGRATION OF WAXWINGS IN
SPRING 1937.

By Evelyn V. Baxter and Leonora Jeffrey Rintoul.
Introduction.

The spring of 1937 was, in Scotland, rendered memorable
to ornithologists by a large immigration of Waxwings which
took place in the end of February and lasted throughout
March. This is unusually late for arrivals of Waxwings
in this country, the usual time when they visit us being
November, December, and January. A feature of this arrival
was its almost explosive suddenness, and the rapidity with
which the birds spread over the country in the last days
of February and first days of March. This rapid spread
may have been due to the unusual lateness of the visit.
By the end of February hips and haws and holly berries are
getting scarce and the birds would find more difficulty in
obtaining food than in autumn, and so would tend to spread
more rapidly in search of sustenance. The heavy snowfalls,
too, in Scotland, would add to their troubles in finding food.
Before, and during the early part of the immigration, the
weather in the Waxwings’ usual haunts had been very severe,
and in Scandinavia the snow was lying thick right down
to high-water mark. There was also a succession of low-
pressure systems over Scotland and off its east coast, which
caused complete cyclonic circulation of air round them, and
made the prevailing direction of the wind easterly from
24th to 28th February and thereafter north and north-east.
In these conditions the Waxwings, making their leisurely
way northwards towards their breeding haunts, found them-
selves faced by scarcity of food, and, diverted by the
226 M

JUL 2 0 1937

94

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

atmospheric conditions, took a westward course and arrived
on the coast of Britain.

The immigration was obviously very large ; the actual
numbers sent us total 1104 and, in addition, there are a good
many reports of “flocks,” “some,” “several,” “numerous,”
which would certainly add considerably to the figure given
above. It is possible that a larger proportion than usual of
the immigrants was seen. They fed, much more commonly
than usual, on cotoneaster berries, which grow either in
gardens or close to a house, and so the birds were more
concentrated near human habitations than when scattered
over the country-side feeding on hips and haws.

A good many casualties are recorded ; there are all too
many reports of Waxwings being picked up dead, or so
exhausted that they died, this being no doubt due to the
severity of the weather. One recorder suggests that want
of water, owing to the pools being frozen, may account for
some of the deaths. Their tameness resulted in many being
caught by cats ; some were killed by boys and some caught
and kept in captivity.

The records sent show no obvious line of departure ;
the birds gradually diminished in numbers and after mid-
April we have no further records.

We have here dealt exclusively with the immigration
in Scotland ; it was, however, not confined to this country,
England also participating, though in a minor degree.
Mr Witherby has kindly informed us that “except in
Northumberland and Durham there seem to have been
very few in England.”

We most warmly thank all those who have sent us
information about this movement. We have had a wonderful
response to our appeal, and we are very grateful to every-
one who has given us data of occurrences, habits, or
anything else referring to this interesting visitation of these
beautiful birds.

Occurrence under Dates.

The first note of Waxwings, in this immigration, comes
from Penicuik (Midlothian) where one was seen about

THE IMMIGRATION OF WAXWINGS IN SPRING 1937 95

7th February, while on or about 20th February one
appeared on Fair Isle. In the early part of the immigra-
tion a Waxwing was reported near Haroldswick, Shetland ;
unfortunately we have not been able to obtain the exact date.

Under date of 3rd March a correspondent in Aberdeen
says : “ They have been here in twos and threes for nearly a
month”; and one was seen near Largo, Fife, on 25th February.

An unexpected feature was that many of the early
records came from the west; Ritchie {Scot. Nat. 1923) noted
this in the 1921 immigration. Thus on 26th February
records of single birds come from Minard and Crarae, in
Argyll, Lochinver (West Sutherland), and Alva, Stirlingshire.
The next day (27th) we have the first note of a number,
a flock of forty being recorded from Linlithgow. Smaller
numbers were noted on the same day at Largo and Leslie
(Fife), Arbroath (Angus), x Ballater, Aboyne, Newburgh
and Lumphanan (Aberdeenshire), Gatehouse-of-Fleet (Kirk-
cudbright), Kilmarnock (Ayrshire), Helensburgh (Dumbarton-
shire), and Fort William (Inverness-shire). The main arrival
was on 28th February; on that day there are records from
several of the places already mentioned and, in addition,
from Haugh-head, Earlston, Berwickshire (7 or 8), Balerno,
Midlothian (3) ; Cowdenbeath (2), Crail, Kirkcaldy, Den of
Lindores (4), Ceres, Milton of Balgonie (2), Brankstone
and Broomhall (6 or 7), all in Fife; Carnoustie, Angus; and
Strathtummel and Luncarty, Perthshire. The west, too, has
interesting records : one is recorded from Canonbie and
two at Whitehill, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire ; six appeared
at Prestwick, Ayrshire, and about the same number at
Stornoway. About thirty arrived at Cathcart, Renfrewshire,
but did not stay, and none was seen there again till
1 2th March, when a dozen were noted. At the very end
of February one was seen at Kilmichael-Glassary, Argyll,
and one at Poolewe, West Ross.

The 1st of March brings two records from very high
localities, namely five Waxwings on the bare moorland
between Kinnaird and Coupar-Angus and four on the
Gairnshiel road which runs from Dee to Donside, the
country there being covered with three feet of snow. Places

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

96

which had not hitherto recorded Waxwings are, in the east,
Jedburgh, Dirleton, Longniddry, Broughty Ferry, Fochabers
and Invergordon ; in the west, Woodlea, Moniaive, Duror-
of-Appin, where they increased in numbers up to the 6th,
and Spean Bridge from 1st to 6th, and they were also
recorded from localities as far from the coast as Callander.
From the 1st to the 4th March two were observed at
Creetown and four at Carsluith Bridge, Kirkcudbright. On
2nd March larger numbers are recorded : flocks of ten were
seen at Campbeltown and Arduaine, Argyll, and Blanefield,
Stirlingshire ; nineteen or twenty were noted near Langholm
and nine at Aboyne. “ Dozens and dozens” appeared at
the Den of Lindores, Fife. “ They only stayed one day
in these numbers, but lingered in the neighbourhood.” A
large flock was seen at Dollar, and twenty at Kirkton near
Dumfries on this or the following day ; two were seen
at Golspie, Sutherland, which stayed till 4th. Interesting
isolated records from the west are of birds picked up dead
on Soay, off Skye, and at Ardtornish, Morvern, Argyll.

Waxwings continue to be recorded steadily till the end
of March, but as would be expected the numbers dwindle.
On the 3rd new localities recording Waxwings are Kingsbarns,
Fife (nine), Edzell (and on to 14th) and Balgay (both Angus),
Pitlochry, Banff (“a flock for the last few days”), Inverness,
Irongray, Dumfries, and Darvel, Ayrshire. On the 4th
Waxwings were noted at Elie, Montrose, and Foulis Castle
(East Ross) on the east and Ballantrae on the west. Next
day they were seen at Kelso ; three on the banks of the Tay
near Perth and one at St Fillans ; seven near Lennoxtown,
West Stirling; and one was found dead near Ardrishaig.
An interesting little group of records comes on the 6th of
March : a Waxwing was found dead on Upper Rule Water,
Roxburghshire ; one was seen at Duns, Berwickshire ; four
at Falkirk (where nine were observed next day) ; two at
Cults, Aberdeenshire; and one at Kirkwall, Orkney. From
this date to the 14th six were at Daviot, Inverness-shire;
two in Dura Den, Fife; and from 6th to 13th one to three
near Braemar.

The week of 7th to 13th March found a flock of twenty

THE IMMIGRATION OF WAXWINGS IN SPRING 1 937 97

to thirty Waxwings in Glen Fruin, Dumbartonshire ; while
on the former date single birds are recorded from Helens-
burgh and Glen Clova (Angus), and five were seen at Crieff.
From 8th to 12th March a flock of at least a score frequented
Edenpark, Cupar, Fife ; on the 8th twelve to fifteen are
recorded near Coupar-Angus ; six at Borlick, Aberfeldy ; and
two at Kilmarnock. On the 9th a flock of from twenty to
thirty were seen at Greenfaulds, Cumbernauld parish, Dum-
bartonshire; the flock was there till the 17th when it
appeared to be breaking up. Some, however, were still
there on the 19th and two on the 23rd. On the 10th a
Waxwing was noted at Girvan, Ayrshire ; on the nth two
were at Portree, Skye; and thirty to forty at Kirkton,
Dumfriesshire. “A few days before” this date Waxwings
were seen at Inverkip, Renfrewshire; and on the 12th there
were flocks near Cardenden, Fife, Melrose, and Glasgow ;
and about this time they were in Pittenweem.

From this time onwards the birds were obviously moving
about in the country, no doubt actuated by food supply,
as various new localities report their visits. These include
Scone, three or four on 13th; Strathtay, two, and Arbirlot,
Angus, six or seven on 14th; Kilmacolm, one, Waterloo,
Perthshire, about a dozen, and several about Closeburn,
Dumfries, about the 15th. From this date till the end
of March, twenty to thirty were about Alvie, Kincraig,
Inverness-shire, and on the 16th flocks were seen in various
parts of Dumfriesshire. There seems also to have been a
departure about this time, last records coming from several
stations which had regularly been recording Waxwings ;
these include Aberdeen and Ballater on the 12th, Ballantrae
on the 13th, Dundee on the 14th, Kirkcaldy on the 15th,
and Aboyne and Lennoxtown on the 1 6th ; and on the
17th March they were last seen at Galston, Ayrshire. On
the 19th one was seen at Bonnyrigg, Midlothian ; while next
day there were two between Balmalcolm and Kettlebridge,
Fife, and one at Brechin. About the same date a flock of
eight or ten was seen near Dumfries and others in the
same neighbourhood. On the 22nd two were captured at
Fannyside, about 2\ miles from Cumbernauld.

98

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

During. March, W axwings were also reported from Peebles- ;
shire, Ayrshire, Fort Augustus, Elgin, Croy, and Ardgay,
while birds of this species were found dead in several places
in South-West Scotland. In the same month a flock of fifty
was seen near Hamilton. Waxwings were in the Botanic
Gardens, Glasgow, and a flock of fifty is recorded from
Ardnamurchan ; while during the last week of the month
they were seen in Cadzow Forest. Notes are by this time
becoming very few, as the birds are obviously either leaving
the country or dead. They are recorded from Cowdenbeath on
the 25th and next day all, except three, had left St Andrews.
On 27th and 28th March Waxwings were seen in Edinburgh ;
they were last noted at Cumbernauld on 30th March, Duror-
of-Appin on 1st, and Creich, Fife, on 4th April. On the 6th
a number were in the Dean Park, Kilmarnock, where they
had been seen before by the park-keeper ; and on 7th the last
is recorded from St Andrews. In a note in the Scotsman
S. G. reports two Waxwings in Mull and two sent to him
dead, from Skye ; while a bird, which from its description was
a Waxwing, was seen in a garden in Portree in mid-April.
The last is that recorded by Mr Serle from Duddingston on
nth April.

Food and Drink.

Our correspondents have sent us many interesting notes
on the food eaten by the Waxwings. Owing no doubt to
the season of the year these differ considerably from those
sent to Professor Ritchie in the great immigration in 1921.
That immigration began on 10th November and ceased in
the early days of December. In 1921 the hips of roses
were the favourite food ; this year by far the most favoured
food was cotoneaster berries. Of the seventy-nine records
sent thirty-three give cotoneaster berries as the food eaten
by the birds. Different species of cotoneaster were eaten
and the birds appear to have dealt with the berries in
different ways. From Cowdenbeath we have the note : “ The
visitors selected their berry, held it for a second in their
bill and then, with a slight toss of the head, swallowed it
whole”; from Edzell : “The berries are sometimes packed
with an ordinary stooping motion. At other times the bird

THE IMMIGRATION OF WAXWINGS IN SPRING 1 937 99

clings to the underside of a twig and eats the berries from
below ; the berries seem to be gulped down whole.” At
Ballater, we are told, they seemed to take the seed and
pulp of the cotoneaster berries and discard the skins ; while
our note runs : “ Watched them wolfing cotoneaster berries
whole ; they were very wasteful and seemed to drop as many
as they ate.” The second favourite was haws, of which
fifteen records have been sent ; the hawthorn berries were
swallowed whole, and at Coupar - Angus Waxwings were
observed picking up fallen haws below the trees. Hips run
the haws pretty close, thirteen records being sent ; both hips of
dog-rose and sweet briar are mentioned ; and from Arbroath
we have the note : “ The hips were swallowed whole. They
did not seem to want to crush the berry and eat the seeds
inside as our own birds do.” There are five records of
Berberis being eaten and three of holly ; of this last berry
our correspondent at Edenpark, Cupar, Fife, says : “ If a berry
dropped to the ground they dropped too and recovered it.”
There are three records of their feeding on Pernettya
mucronata , all from the west, and two of Pyracanthus. At
Crieff they gorged themselves on guelder-rose berries ; at
St Andrews a Waxwing ate yellow crocus “in large gulps”;
near Braemar, at 1100 feet above sea-level, when the whole
ground was coveied with snow, they were hunting for food
in Scots fir and juniper. In the same neighbourhood, namely
on the high ground between Dee and Don, they were
flitting about the juniper bushes hunting for food, the
country being covered with three feet of snow. On a high
bare moor between Kinnaird and Coupar-Angus “ they were
busy feeding among whin and bourtree bushes.” At Dundee
they “ seemed to be finding insects under the eaves ” ; and
Miss Wilson, St Andrews, told us that she watched them
doing little flights up into the air “ evidently catching insects.”
A good many correspondents noticed their enormous
appetites when they first arrived ; these, however, moderated
after they had been some time in the locality. Some recorders
tell of feeding the Waxwings, sometimes on their normal
food, such as hawthorn berries, at others on currants which
they much enjoyed. One ate, in one day, a banana, a

IOO

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

handful of currants and hawthorn berries ; this was in
captivity. Another, which was very much exhausted, was fed
with berries and a few currants from a cake. It recovered
completely and was released next day. Others throve on
ants’ eggs and puppy food. At St Andrews “they were
attracted by the Berberis berries in front of the house.
They were very greedy and ate them all up quickly,
so we have been feeding them on currants, of which they
seem very fond. When they first arrived they were very
tired, but since then they have become much bolder, even
chasing away Thrushes and Blackbirds.” A good many
correspondents refer to the amount of water they drank
and mention that, after a good feed of berries, they always
went and had a drink. For example, at Fort William,
they drank from a small stream ; at Coupar-Angus they
drank out of the burn ; at Glasgow they drank out of the
Kelvin. At Cumbernauld water was found to be very
essential : “ After a gorge of haws they flew to the drinking
places — some springs — and took as many as six sips —
then to branches, adopting a sleepy attitude, feathers fluffed
out, wings drooping, easily approached when first observed.”
At the Den of Lindores they “liked a dip in the burn”;
at St Andrews “they were very thirsty and often came and
drank from a bowl put out for them ” ; while at Arbroath
they frequented the birds’ bath. At this last place, Carnoustie,
Kirkcaldy, and Kincraig, Inverness-shire, they were observed
to be drinking copiously from the rones of the buildings.

Habits.

Many references are made to their amazing tameness.
From Borlick, Aberfeldy, we hear: “On Tuesday the 8th
of March I was surprised to see some strange birds eating
berries off some small trees, and got as close to them as
I dared go, in case they would fly away ; but the more I
stood the tamer they got, and finally I managed just up close
on them. On Thursday I was at the same tree, repairing
a lambing shed. I was hammering in a nail when I heard
a chirp, and looking up saw seven Waxwings and studied
them again. Still I had my work to complete and just

THE IMMIGRATION OF WAXWINGS IN SPRING 1937 101

kept going, and hitting sheet iron with a hammer makes
some noise. Well the Waxwings did not mind, though they
were only about twelve feet away from me and some of
them less. So I finished my job and left the birds to finish
the picking of the berries, and I went home.”

The weather during their stay was very cold and windy.
At Cumbernauld Waxwings were “swaying on the branches
in a fifty mile per hour gale as they fed, wings and tail
spread for balancing aids, acrobatic but somewhat clumsy.”
At Aberfeldy* in a heavy snow-storm, our recorder noticed
that “ they sit with their side to the storm instead of facing
it, as most birds do.”

Various roosting places are recorded : in a hedge at
Golspie ; in a small plantation near Cupar, Fife ; in an
old plane tree at Foulis Castle ; and on the crow-steps of
the gables ofTullich Lodge, about two miles from Ballater,
or on nearby trees.

Waxwings are usually described as very silent birds,
and this fact makes doubly interesting the notes which we
append. From Linlithgow, “ they twittered as they alighted ” ;
from Fort William, “ the call, or cry, is a feeble trill uttered
by the bird when on the wing and not uttered when they
are disturbed, but seemingly as a call-note ” ; from Arbroath,
“they sang a soft melodious twitter such as you hear from
small birds, amongst trees, on a spring day” ; from St Andrews,
we have “a high rippling note, very like a Redpoll’s, and
another note they utter constantly, especially in late after-
noon, is a soft whistle ‘ soo,’ not unlike the equivalent ‘ seep ’
of the Robin ” ; from Cumbernauld, “ a shrill shree-e or
trill-like note, and single birds ‘ zieh ’ like a Redwing.”

Superstitions have been sent us from several places :
Minard, they are a portent of war ; Stornoway, a bird of
ill-omen and said to presage war, plague, or sudden death ;
Montrose, when they appear it is a sign of hard weather ;
Colinsburgh, they are unlucky ; elsewhere they are said to
foretell pestilence. In Europe, as is pointed out by a
correspondent in Kintyre, their occasional visits are said
to presage famine and war and they are regarded as the
“ devil’s own bird ! ”

226

N

102

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

NOTES

Bottle-nosed Whales ( Myperoodon rostratus ) in the
River Tay. — On the afternoon of Saturday, ioth April 1937, a
school of about fifty whales visited the River Tay. They were
observed by many people in Broughty Ferry and Tayport, including
several men who in their younger days had been to the Arctic with
Dundee whalers, to be drifting rather than swimming with the
flood tide. The school came up river on the Fife side as far as
the lighthouses at West Lights, and this coincided with the turn of
the tide. The animals next drifted almost diagonally back across
the river to the Castle at Broughty Ferry, which course is the set of
the ebb-tide in this part of the estuary.

At one point near the West Lights the animals were within
150 yards of the shore, and an excellent view of them was obtained
by Mr Charles Finlay, head lighthouse-keeper and former whaler.
Information given to me by Mr Finlay within an hour after they
had been seen made it clear that the school was of “bottle-
noses.” This was substantiated by accounts given independently
by Mr Maxwell, a Tayport fisherman, who had gone out in a small
boat and was within a few feet of the animals ; and by Mr Smith,
the skipper of the Broughty-Tayport ferry boat. Mr Maxwell told
me that he had been so close that he was rather anxious for the
safety of his boat when one raised its head right out of the water
and revealed a “ swollen head with a beak and two grooves on the
throat.” This latter piece of information clinched the matter of
identification.

The average length of the animals was estimated by several
independent observers to be between 20 and 30 feet.

On Saturday evening I picked up squid remains in a fresh
condition on the beach at West Lights, and there may be some
connection between the presence of these and the whales in the
river. — Frank Greenshields, B.Sc., Ph.D., University College,
Dundee.

A Rare Slug, Umax cinereoniger ; Wolf, in Midlothian. —

It is many years since 1898 when W. Evans collected this rare slug
in Roslin Woods, near Edinburgh (Taylor, J. W., Monograph of the
Land and Freshwater Motlusca of the British Isles , vol. ii., 1907*
p. 61). Quite recently this year I found two specimens, in Bilston
Glen near Roslin on 14th May, and by the Fullarton Water near
Temple on 30th May. The specimens have been deposited in the
Royal Scottish Museum. — D. K. Kevan, Edinburgh.

COMMON DOLPHINS IN THE NORTPI SEA

103

COMMON DOLPHINS IN THE NORTH SEA.

By F. C. Fraser, D.Sc., Department of Zoology, British Museum
(Natural History).

BETWEEN 7th and 17th February 1937 a series of Common
Dolphin strandings was reported on a stretch of the east
coast of England and Scotland, extending from Tain in the
County of Ross to Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire. The
strandings are summarised in Table I.

Table I.

Reference

Number.

Date.

Locality.

Number.

Evidence of
Determination.

S.W.

I937/3A

7-2-37

Bo’ness, Talleyfield,

and Culross, Firth
of Forth

Invergordon and Tain,

A number seen.

Lower jaw (Royal

1937/4

8.2.37

1 stranded at
Bo’ness, 5 at
Val leyfield
and Culross
5 (Invergordon)

Scottish Museum).
Entire animal. British

1937/5

8.2.37

Ross-shire

Cleethorpes, Lincoln-

1 (Tain)

I

Museum (Nat. Hist.).
Entire animal. British

1937/6

17.2.37

shire

Monifieth, Angus

1

Museum (Nat. Hist.).
Lower jaw (Royal

1937/7

19.2.37

St Andrew’s, Fife

1

Scottish Museum).
Entire animal. (Prof.

Peacock, Dundee).

Because of the prevailing cold weather, the two Dolphins
sent to the British Museum arrived in perfect condition, and
the more delicate details of body coloration were much
better preserved than in the majority of stranded specimens
usually received. The general body colour was alike in
both, but there were some differences in detail, most notice-
able in the region of the flanks and tail. Between the dorsal
fin and flukes on the flanks the Invergordon specimen was
much less heavily pigmented than the Cleethorpes one.
A pair of thin but conspicuous lines of pigment in the
Cleethorpes animal, originating just above the anus and
extending forward to end on each side about halfway along
the body, was present but indistinct in the Invergordon
specimen. In the blackness of the back and whiteness of
belly, in the alternating streaks of colour on the sides, both
specimens conformed to existing descriptions of the external
appearance of the Common Dolphin.

104

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

The external measurements are given in Table II,

Table II.

S.W.

1937/4

S.W.

1937/5

S.W.

1937/6

S.W.

1937/7

Total length

7' i|"

7' 6"

6' 9"

6' 10"

Length of snout

6"

5"

5"

5 r

Tip of snout — blowhole ....

1' 2i"

I' li"

T 0"

T 2"

„ » —eye

T 2"

I' l£"

,, ,, — angle of gape

nf"

iof"

...

., ,, — tip of flipper

2' 8"

2' 9!"

Eye to ear (centre 9

2"

Length of flipper

11"

Ill"

10"

10"

Greatest width of flipper ....

4i"

Notch of flukes to anus ....

1' n|"

1' ni"

Centre of anus — centre of reproductive

aperture ......

7"

8"

51"

Width of flukes tip to tip .

1' 8|"

1' iof"

,, ,, at insertion

51"

6*"

Height of dorsal fin .

10"

9i"

9i"

*8"

Length of base of dorsal fin

n"

i' 1"

Notch of flukes to centre of dorsal fin

3' 4"

3' 6"

3' 5"

3' 2"

Greatest circumference ....

4' 0"

3' 9"

Weight

250 lbs.

244 lbs.

Teeth number

48

46

43

40

45

44

48

40

S.W. 1937/4 and 5 were males, and the anus-reproductive
aperture measurement of S.W. 1937/6 suggests that it too
belonged to the same sex. Both S.W. 1937/4 and 5 were
sexually mature : the dimensions of the testis of the latter
specimen were 27 x 5 X 3-5 cm. It is interesting to compare
these dimensions with those of a male Common Dolphin 7' 1 T
in length stranded at Putney, 1st August 1935 (S.W. 1935/10),
in which the testis measured 41-5 X 9-5 X 9-5 cm., enormous
dimensions considering the size of the animal. Meek (1918)
states that in the Common Porpoise the testes enlarge very
greatly in the summer, and the present observations indicate
that seasonal variation also takes place in the testes of the
Common Dolphin.

Both the specimens sent to the British Museum had
series of parallel scratches on the back and sides. In a
paper published in the Transactions of the Norfolk and
Norwich Naturalists Society, Sir Sidney Harmer (1901) put
forward the explanation that these scratches are produced

Fig. i. — Sucker marks of the Cuttlefish, Todarodes , on the skin of a
Common Dolphin.

COMMON DOLPHINS IN THE NORTH SEA

105

by the teeth of other Dolphins of the same species, and
certainly in the present instance the marks suggest such an
origin.

In addition, however, to the elongated scratches there
were, in the neighbourhood of the jaws of the two British
Museum specimens and in one or two of the heads sent to
the Royal Scottish Museum, circular marks of the form
shown in Fig. 1. Mr G. I. Crawford, to whom I showed
specimens of the marks, suggested that they had possibly
been caused by Cuttlefish of the genus, Todarodes , and about
the same time I had information from Dr A. C. Stephen
about the marks on the jaws of the Dolphins sent to the
Royal Scottish Museum. Dr Stephen also informed me that
the Cuttlefish, Todarodes sagittatus (Lam.), had been coming
ashore between North Berwick and Carnoustie, in some
places in very large numbers.

Mr M. A. C. Hinton informs me that circular sucker
marks of similar appearance were quite common on the
heads of the False Killer Whales stranded in the Dornoch
Firth in 1927.

The British Museum records of stranded Cetacea — 1913
to 1932 — indicate that the Common Dolphin does not often
frequent the North Sea. Nearly all the strandings are
concentrated on the south and south-west coasts of England
and Ireland. A few stragglers were found on the east coast
of Scotland, prior to the present series, and there were no
records whatsoever between the Firth of Forth and the
Straits of Dover.

It seems highly probable that in the present instance the
Dolphins had followed the Cuttlefish which had invaded the
North Sea, and it is likely too that the stranding of one
Sperm Whale at Bridlington and two on the Dutch coast in
the early part of the year can be associated with the
abundance of Cephalopods in the North Sea at that time.

REFERENCES.

Harmer, S. F. 1901. “On Some Markings on the Skin of a Dolphin, Delphinus
delphis ,” Trans. Norfolk and Norwich Nat. Soc ., vol. vii., p. 185.

Meek, A. 1918. “The Reproductive Organs of Cetacea,” Joarn. of Anat.,
vol. lii., p. 186,

io6

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

THE LANCELET, BRANCHIOSTOMA LANCE-
OLATUM (PALLAS), AT MONTROSE.

By A. C. Stephen, D.Sc., Royal Scottish Museum.

The Lancelet, or Amphioxus as it is often termed, although
the species inhabiting British seas is now referred to the
genus Branchiostoma , ranges from the Mediterranean and
the north coast of Africa to Norway. On the west coast
of Scotland it is recorded from the Clyde area, near
Little Cumbrae, and between Cumbrae and Hunterston
(. British Association Handbook , 1901). In the North Sea
it has been taken on several occasions on the Dogger
Bank (Davis, 1923). It occurs also in the shallower parts
of the southern North Sea, at the entrance to the Baltic
on the coast of Norway and on the eastern coasts of Britain
(Franz, 1927).

Along the eastern shores of Britain it is not at all
common and has been reported on only two occasions, once
from the coast of Norfolk and once from the Moray Firth.
This last record is given by Stieda (1873), but he does not
give any reference for the statement. Another Scottish
specimen has now come to light. In a collection of
material, kindly presented to the Royal Scottish Museum
by Mr Duncan, Montrose, was a Lancelet measuring 5-5 cm.
It was picked up on the beach at Montrose. The date
when it was found is not known but Mr Duncan, writing
on 2 1st May 1937, states that it was found some years ago.

The Lancelet lives in shallow water buried in sandy
gravel or shell gravel, with only the fringed mouth projecting.
Ground of this texture occurs in the Montrose area and
it would be interesting to know if it is established there,
or if this had been a casual.

REFERENCES.

British Association Handbook. 1901. Fauna , Flora and Geology of the
Clyde A rea, p. I 80.

DAVIS, F. M. 1923. Min. Agric. Fish. : Fish. Invest. (2) 6, 2 ; p. 42.

Franz, V. 1927. Die Tierwelt der Nord- und Ostsee , Lief. viii. xii.<$, p. 8.
Stieda, L. 1873. Mem. Acad. Imp , Set ,, St Petersburg (pi}, 19, p. 3.

the natural history of the ISLAND OF RAASAY 107

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ISLAND OF
RAASAY AND OF THE ADJACENT ISLES
OF SOUTH RONA, SCALPAY, LONGAY, AND
FLADDAY.

{Continued jrom ft. 71.)

IV. SPIDERS AND ALLIED GROUPS.

By the Rev. J. E. Hull, M.A., D.Sc., and J. W. Heslop
Harrison, D.Sc., F.R.S.

The spiders and other forms discussed in this paper were
captured during the years 1933-36 by Dr George Heslop
Harrison and one of us (J. W. Heslop Harrison), although
only the former worker has collected Arachnida in the
islands other than during the months of July and August.
He, fortunately, was compelled to visit Raasay in April
and June 1936 in order to carry out certain investigations
in connection with entomological problems, and utilised the
opportunity of adding to our knowledge of the spider fauna.

It will be obvious that no one has worked the island
group during that period of the year most productive of
adults from the standpoint of the largest spider families.
In spite of that, no fewer than 98 species of spiders are now
reported, 8 of harvest spiders, and one pseudoscorpion. This
list, therefore, compares very favourably indeed with that
presented in Bristow’s “Spider Fauna of the Western
Islands of Scotland ” {Scot. Nat ., May-June 1927, page 88).
That author lists 140 spiders, 11 harvestmen, and 3 pseudo-
scorpions for the whole of the Hebrides, Inner and Outer.

Of the species captured by us, 28 are additions to
Bristow’s list, so that there are now known from the
Hebrides 168 spiders, 11 harvestmen, and 3 pseudoscorpions.

The most striking feature revealed by our researches is
the presence in Raasay and its neighbours of a substantial
element composed of species such as Zelotes latreilliiy
Z. apricorum , Drassus pubescens , Xysticus pini , etc., showing
southern predilections. Amongst these will be noted two
species, Drassus pubescens and Xysticus pini , included by
Bristow on the basis of odd specimens from Arran and Ailsa

io8

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

Craig. That author was so surprised at their presence, even
in such a sheltered island as Arran, that he casts doubt on
the correctness of their identification. Both species, however,
are widely distributed in the islands now being investigated,
and far from rare. In any case their occurrence simply
confirms the indications of the Flora, and of insect groups,
like the Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera-Heteroptera,
etc., all of which possess noteworthy southern representatives
in these islands.

It should be observed, too, that of the spider species
here recorded, 24 are restricted to Raasay, 16 to Scalpay,
and 3 to South Rona. As stated in discussing other groups,
not all of these discrepancies are significant, but, nevertheless,
some are, and therefore further researches are needed to
reveal their exact meaning.

Arane^e.

Harpactus hombergii Scop. — On Rona only.

Segestria senoculata L. — Generally distributed over the
three islands, Raasay, S. Rona, and Scalpay.

Oonops pulcher Tempi. — Amongst debris in the ravines
on Scalpay and Raasay.

Drassodes signifer K. ( troglodytes K.). — On Raasay only ;
in the Inverarish area.

D. lapidosus Walck. — Thinly spread in all the larger
islands.

D. pubescens Thorell. — Usually regarded as a southern
species, but much commoner than its congeners on Raasay,
Scalpay, and Longay.

Zelotes latreillii C.L.K. — In rock debris amongst the
birches, Balachuirn, Raasay.

Z. apricorum L.K. — Also on Raasay, but near Inverarish ;
a considerable northward extension of these two southern
and western spiders.

Clubiona diversa Cb. — On Raasay, Scalpay, and Longay.

C. subtilis L.K. — On Raasay and Scalpay on shrubs.

C. reclusa Cb. — Amongst grass, etc., Raasay, S. Rona,
Scalpay, and Longay ; not uncommon.

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ISLAND OF RAASAY 109

C. comta C.L.K. — Sparingly in S.W. Raasay and Rona.

C. holosericea De G. — On the marsh edges at Fearns,
and Loch Eadar da Bhaile, Raasay

Chiracanthium carnifex Fab. — On the heather just above
the old church, Raasay.

Anyphcena accentuata Walck — Beaten from alders and
birches along the Arish Burn, Raasay, and Allt Camas na
Geadaig, Scalpay.

Xysticus cristatus Clk. — Common everywhere on Scalpay,
Raasay, Rona, and Longay.

X. erraticus Bl. — On Rona only.

X. pini Hahn. — A southern form, but, nevertheless,
occurring over large areas in Raasay and Scalpay.

Philodromus elegans Bl. — Not uncommon on herbage in
the south of Scalpay ; also a southern species.

P. aureolus Clk. — Fairly common near Balachuirn, Raasay,
and in Central Rona.

Oxyptila trux Bl. — Amongst rubbish, etc.; Raasay,
Scalpay, and Rona.

Neon reticulatus Bl. — Found on Raasay in April 1937,
and on Scalpay on the lower slopes of Beinn Loch a Mhuilinn
in August; not uncommon.

Euarcha flammata Clk. ( falcata Clk.) — Restricted to the
south of Scalpay.

Cryphoeca silvicola C.L.K. — Amongst the trees fringing
the Allt Camas na Geadaig, Scalpay.

Tegenaria derhami Scop. — Locally common ; White
Cottage, Scalpay, Rona, and at various points on Raasay.

Textrix denticulata Oliv. — Generally common, Raasay,
S. Rona, Scalpay, and Longay.

Hahnia montana Bl. — Quite rare ; along the Arish Burn,
Raasay.

H. Candida Sim. — Rare, on the limestone outcrops east
of Raasay House.

Pisaura mirabilis C.L.K. — Not common on heather, etc.;
Dry Harbour, Rona.

Pirata hygrophilus Thorell. — Rare, Loch Eadar da Bhaile,
Raasay.

226

o

no

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

P. piraticus Clk. — Thinly spread on Scalpay, Raasay,
and Rona.

Trochosa terricola Thorell. — Common under stones on
Raasay, Rona, and Scalpay.

T. ruricola De G. — Near Oskaig, Raasay.

Lycosa pulverulenta Clk.' — On the moors of Raasay, Rona,
Scalpay, and Longay.

Pardosa nigriceps Thorell. — Amongst heather on Raasay
and Rona.

P. amentata Clk, — Common everywhere.

P. pullata Clk. — As with the last species.

P. palustris L. — Not uncommon and general.

Dictyna arundinacea L. — Quite common on heather on
all the islands.

Ciniflo fenestralis Stroem. — Abundant in all suitable
places ; all the islands.

C. similis Bl. — Common in outhouses, stables, etc., on
all the islands.

Ero furcata Vill. — Widespread on the moors of Central
and Southern Raasay.

Theridion pallens Bl. — Common on birches everywhere.

T. sisyphium Clk. — Abounds on birches, etc., on all the
islands.

Phyllonethis ovata Clk. ( lineata Clk). — Scarce ; Raasay
only.

Robertus lividus Bl. — Common under stones on the
various islands.

Ceratinella brevis Wid.— In herbage on the hills behind
the upper road, Raasay.

Monocephalus fuscipes Bl. — Common ; Raasay, Rona, and
Scalpay.

Scleroschema hiemale Bl. — Amongst moss in the woods
on Scalpay.

Troxochrus exilis Bl. — In Raasay House Woods.

Dicymbium tibiale Bl. — Also in the woods near Inverarish,
Raasay.

Lophomma punctatuni BL — In swampy places in the south
of Scalpay.

Evansia merens Cb. — A well-known myrmecophile, but

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ISLAND OF RAASAY in

found well distributed in Raasay amongst grass, as well
as in nests of the ant Formica fusca.

Walckenaera acuminata BL — Near Loch an Leoid,
Scalpay ; uncommon.

W. nodosa Cb. — Near the lochans in the centre of Scalpay.

Micryphantes graminicola Sund. — Quite rare on Scalpay.

Gonatium rubellum Bl. — On the Storab Burn, Raasay.

G. rubens Bl. — Sparingly distributed on Rona.

Dismodicus bifrons Bl. — Near Loch Braig in the north
of Rona.

CEdothorax fusca Bl. — Just south of Holoman, Raasay,
and Big Harbour, Rona.

Trachygnatha dentata Wid. — Near Dry Harbour, Rona.

Erigone dentipalpis Wid. — Fairly common in North
Scalpay.

E. atra Bl. — Widespread on the Scalpay moorlands ; also
on Rona.

Oreonetides abnormis Bl. — Rare along the Inverarish Burn,
Raasay, and Rona.

Centromerus bicolor Bl. — Sparingly on Raasay.

C. concinnus Thorell. — Only found on Scalpay, but not rare.

Porrhomma montanum Jacks. — At the head of the Allt
Liath, Scalpay.

Microneta viaria Bl. — Scattered in the north of Scalpay
on the Conglomerate.

Bathyphantes concolor Wid. — Not plentiful on Raasay.

B. parvulus Westr. — Quite a rare spider, and only seen
in North Scalpay.

Poeciloneta globosa Wid. — On Rona and Scalpay, but not
common.

Leptyphantes zimmermannii Bertk. — Under stones on the
moors of Raasay.

L. tenebricola Wid. — Beinn Loch a Mhuilinn, Scalpay; rare.

L. ericceus Bl. — Not rare; Brochel, Holoman, Oskaig,
Raasay.

L. tenuis Bl. — Rare on Rona.

L. orbatus Hull. — A male on Raasay. This is the species
treated by most authors as Black wall’s L. flavipes which is,
in reality, Bathyphantes pullatus Cbt

1 12

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

Labulla thoracica Wid. — In the woods along the Allt [
Brae, Raasay.

Linyphia peltata Wid. — Common on various trees on all
the islands, including Longay.

L. pusilla Sund. — On low herbage on South Rona.

L. triangularis Clk. — Found on birches on all the islands.

Drapetisca socialis Bl. — In the woods of Raasay and

S. Scalpay.

Bolyphantes luteolus Bl. — Not so common as one would
expect ; Raasay and Scalpay.

B. expunctus Cb. — Quite common on lichen-clad conifers
on both Raasay and Scalpay.

Tapinopa longidens Wid. — Amongst stones around Camas
na Geadaig, Scalpay.

Pachygnatha degeerii Sund. — Plentiful on all the islands,
including Longay.

Tetragnatha extensa L. — Not uncommon; Raasay, Rona,
and Scalpay.

T. pinicola L. — In the woods between the ironstone mine
and the church, Raasay ; also on Scalpay.

Nesticus cellulanus Clk. — Amongst the rocks in the gorge
of the Allt Camas na Geadaig, Scalpay.

Meta segmentata Clk. — Abundant everywhere, quite
rubescent in certain specimens.

M. meriance Scop. — Common in most suitable places on
the islands ; and showing melanochroic tendencies.

Zilla atrica C.L.K. — Amongst conifers on Raasay; also
on Rona.

Z. x-notata Clk. — On various trees on Scalpay and Raasay

Epeira cucurbitina Clk. — Common on birches and alders
along the Arish, Raasay, and on Scalpay.

E. diademata Clk. — Abundant on all the islands.

E. quadrata Clk. — Widely spread on the islands, including
Longay, but not plentiful ; generally on bracken.

E. cornuta Clk. — On the moors, Raasay and Scalpay,
spinning its web amongst rushes, etc.

E. ocellata Clk. ( patagiata Clk.). — Common and generally
distributed.

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ISLAND OF RAASAY 113

E. umbratica Clk. — Under the bark of trees in Raasay
j House Woods, and in the big wood in S. Scalpay.

Phalangidea.

Mitopus morio Fab. — Common on all the islands.

Phalangium opilio K. — On the roadside as it runs through
Raasay House Woods.

Megabunus insignis Meade. — Scattered on Raasay and
Scalpay.

Oligolophus tridens C.K.L. — Rather rare on Raasay,
Rona, and Scalpay.

O. agrestis Meade. — With the preceding.

Odiellus palpinalis Herbst. — Only found on the moors
of Raasay.

Nemastoma lugubre Miill. — Abundant on every island,
including Longay.

Liobunum rotundum Latr. — Rare on Raasay in April.
Chernetidea.

Obisium muscorum Leach. — Everywhere plentiful in dead
leaves, moss, etc.

( To be continued )

NOTES

Note on the Sand-Martin. — On nth July 1936 Mr D.
Hamilton and I visited Linlithgow Loch and were struck by the
extraordinary number of Sand-Martins flying about the Loch.
Large numbers would occasionally perch on the wire fence of the
hen run, on the north side of the Loch, and others on the reeds
growing at the edge of the Loch, while many were landing on the
footpath. We noticed that several were picking up dried stems
of grass lying on the path, and running about with them as if
at play, and sometimes two or three would take hold of the same
stem. They ran about with great activity, a feature one would
not expect to find in this species. They could rise on the wing
from any spot, either flat or hollow, in the path, without any
preliminary run. Rising on the wing from a stationary position
was noted by Mr Norman M. Johnstone in his note on the

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

114

Sand-Martin in the Scot. Nat ., 1936, p. 163. It was also noticed
by Mr D. Hamilton in his notes on the habits of the Swift. — W. A.
McLeod Watson, Edinburgh.

Note on Greenland Wheatear and Waxwing. — On 31st
October 1936 I was at Largo early in the afternoon, and started
on a tramp along the shore towards Elie. A hundred yards or
so east of the last house in Largo I observed a bird obviously
of the Chat family ; but it was not until the Misses Rintoul and
Baxter observed it on the Monday following (2nd November) and
identified it for me that I realised that I had seen a Greenland
Wheatear — at a .rather late date for the species. The bird had
certain throat markings which puzzled me, but Miss Rintoul
informed me that these were caused by probable contact with a
wire — the bird was a young one of the year.

On 18th April 1937 I was at Aberfoyle, and observed a flock
of Waxwings (eight in number) perched on the high branches of
a larch quite close to the village. (There were probably other
Waxwings in the vicinity.) The eight birds were feeding on the
tiny red florets and perhaps also on the small green leaf-shoots
of the larch. — P. W. G. Gunn, Edinburgh.

Rare Weevil, Otiorrhynchus porcatus Hbst., in Scotland.

— This beetle, recently added to the British fauna has, so far, been
recorded only from Oxford, Durham, Co. Dublin, and Co. Meath.
On 4th May 1937 I found several under old pieces of wood lying
on a grassy bank in a timber yard in Leith. A specimen has been
deposited in the Royal Scottish Museum. — D. K. Kevan, Edinburgh.

Smew on Linlithgow Loch. — On 17th February I obtained
splendid views of a duck Smew, Mergellus att?eltus, feeding close
in at the south-east corner of the Loch. This is apparently the
first record of the occurrence of this species on this particular
stretch of water. Altogether eight different species of duck were
seen to-day. — George Waterston, Edinburgh.

Goat Moth, Trypanus cossus L., in Caithness. — I am
indebted to Captain D. Dannreuther for forwarding a female
captured on willow in a garden at John o’ Groats, on 15th May,
by Mr S. Baigrie of the Lighthouse, Duncansbay Head, Wick. The
date is an early one for this species. The Goat Moth is local in
Scotland and has been previously noticed in several counties from
Kirkcudbright to East Ross. — A. R. Waterston, B.Sc., Royal
Scottish Museum.

AL GM STUDIES FROM BOGHALL GLEN (MIDLOTHIAN), II. 115

ALG^E STUDIES FROM BOGHALL GLEN
(MIDLOTHIAN), II.

By E. Wyllie Fenton, M.A., D.Sc., Edinburgh and
East of Scotland College of Agriculture.

Introduction.

The three chief algae localities in Boghall Glen are Allermuir
at the west, or top of the Glen, with water of pH 6-8 — 7 + ,
Caerketton location (middle part) with acid water, and
Leips Valley (near the entrance) with water of pH 7+.
Boghall Burn drains the streams from all these locations.
In the Caerketton location the rocks and soil are mainly
acid, but in the other two locations the rocks are basic and
the soil, though acid, has basic material present, while the
water is also slightly alkaline. This affects not merely the
ground vegetation, but the algae in the streams and ditches
as described in a previous article (Fenton, 1936).

In the present article further details are given with
particular aspects of the algae flora and distribution. The
results recorded are of interest, as they will differ very
markedly from those obtained in lake (Pearsall, 1922) and
lowland conditions (Griffiths, 1922-1923), while the general
conditions in Boghall Glen (Fenton, 1933) will be very
similar to those in most parts of the Southern Uplands.

Habitat of Alg,e.

Vaucheria terrestris occurred only at springs where the
pH was about 6-8 — 7 + . Hence except at Farm Reservoir
this alga was confined to Leips Valley and the Allermuir
localities ; it never occurred in the Caerketton area. Spiro-
gyra sp. is very similar to Vaucheria and also occurred in
streams and ditches which drained away the spring water.
This was also the habitat for CEdogonium and Zygnema ,
except that Gddogonium was comparatively rare in the
Leips Valley. Both these algae were frequently found with
Spirogyra.

n6

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

Tribonema occurred chiefly near Farm Reservoir and the
drainage channels flowing therefrom. It was also plentiful
in the lower parts of the Leips Valley. It was once found
in the Allermuir location.

Draparnaldia occurred chiefly in the Caerketton location
and in the lower parts of the Leips Valley, though not so
plentiful in the latter habitat.

Rhizoclonium and Stigeoclonium occurred only in the
Caerketton location.

Microspora , beyond a few traces in Allermuir, occurred
only in the Caerketton location.

Ulothrix sp. had a general distribution.

Cladophora had a very restricted distribution. It occurred
in one stretch of Boghall Burn and at one location in the
Leips Valley. Traces of it were occasionally found in the
upper part of Leips Valley.

Batrachospermum occurred at only one point, at an
elevation of just over 1000 feet at the top of Leips Valley.

Spirogyra majuscula occurred at one point near a spring
at the top of Leips Valley at an elevation of approximately
1200 feet. A few filaments were found at times at a lower
elevation, but the alga never established itself in the lower
part of Leips Valley.

Mougeotia was found chiefly in the Allermuir location,
and a little in the Leips Valley.

Phenological Factors.

It was impossible to obtain temperatures and other data
for Boghall Glen. Records are available for Boghall Farm,
but details of temperature, sunshine, and moisture are not
quite the same for both locations, for snow lies so much
longer in the Glen. Meteorological observations have been
given in the Farm Guide since 1934, but careful records have
been kept for several years previous to that date.

Spirogyra spp. showed a vigorous response to continued
periods of bright sunshine. This occurred even when the
temperature was low in the early months of the year. This
was noticeable after several clear sunny days, even when
there was ground frost at night. Vaucheria terrestris reacted

I ALG/E STUDIES FROM BOGHALL GLEN (MIDLOTHIAN), II. 117

more to temperature than sunshine. The spread and growth
of Vaucheria was always noticeable after a warm spell, even
I though the hours of sunshine were few and the daylight
i of short duration. In 1932-1933-1934 with their long hours
of sunshine, both Spirogyra and Vaucheria were remarkably
plentiful and vigorous in growth. CEdogonium , like Spirogyra ,
was chiefly stimulated by light intensity.

Algae kept in the laboratory over winter showed activity
in spring and early summer. The order in which this
appeared was very similar to that under natural conditions
in Boghall Glen. There was one point of difference ; the
I algae in the laboratory did not become active so early in
the year as did those under natural conditions, in spite of
i a much higher and steadier temperature. This difference
is attributed largely to the light intensity being very much
I greater in the clear air of Boghall Glen, while the north
aspect of the laboratory in the centre of a city means very
much reduced light activity. The algae concerned were
Vaucheria, Spirogyra, Draparnaldia, Cladophora, Tribonema,
and Ulothrix.

The general effect of a wet year, when there are repeated
heavy rainfalls, is to scour out frequently and severely the
beds of many streams and ditches. This means an immediate
and serious reduction of algae not only for the year in
question and probably for the next year, but its effects
may continue for a longer period. Certain species may
completely disappear. But, if the rainfall is well distributed
and the streams and ditches kept at a high level, then algal
growth is favoured and a vigorous growth may be the result.
In a dry season the beds of many small streams and ditches
may be completely dried up. This is, however, offset to
i some extent when mosses and grasses as well as other
plants invade the damp channel. The growth of these
gives a certain amount of shade and some of the algae may
survive till there is sufficient water to enable algal growth
to proceed in a normal way. Thus in the following year
there may not be the reduction of algae either in quantity
or species that might be expected.

A rather similar result is caused by the choking of the
226 p

n8

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

streams and ditches by the stems of Mat Grass (Nardus
stricta) and similar material, as already mentioned. Until this
material is washed out, algal growth is virtually impossible.
Hence in any year when this material chokes the channels,
for some time there is a marked reduction both in the
quantity and nature of the algae. This may be evident after
a period of two years. This choking of ditches with Mat
Grass stems occurs after the grass is burned.

The recent dry years have completely altered — for the
time at least — the algal flora, both as regards quantity
and number of species. It is impossible to say what the
final result may be, but it is safe to assume that it will
take a long time before many of the algae formerly found
regain lost ground. Some may not appear for years.

Seasonal Variations.

In 1929 Rhizoclonium was plentiful in the Caerketton
area till drought restricted the water supply.

In 1930 Draparnaldia (both spp.) was frequent but Rhizo -
clonium , Stigeoclonium and Microspora were comparatively
rare.

In 1931 all algae recorded were fairly plentiful, except
Ulothrix and Stigeoclonium .

In 1932 Rhizoclonium , Stigeoclonium and Draparnaldia
were not so plentiful as usual, while Microspora was found in
much less acid water than previously recorded.

In 1933- 1934-1935 the exceptionally dry conditions during
most of the season dried up most of the ditches and greatly
reduced the flow of water. Several springs temporarily
ceased to flow. The result was that Draparnaldia spp. was
hard to find. Apart from one or two locations, Vaucheria
and Spirogyra were not nearly so plentiful, while Tribonema
was also much less plentiful.

CEdogonium and Zygnema were difficult to find even
in their usual location. Microspora and Stigeoclonium were
remarkably scarce and disappeared with the drying up of
the ditches.

Batrachospermum was much reduced in quantity and
found only for a very short time, while Cladophora was also

ALGAE STUDIES FROM BOGHALL GLEN (MIDLOTHIAN), II. 119

much reduced in quantity owing to the shrinkage of the
water supply. An alteration in the Leips stream has, at
least for a time, caused Cladophora to disappear from that
particular location. Ulothrix was also far from common.

In 1936 the effects of the drought were intensified in the
spring though there was an increased supply of moisture
during the summer. Even yet, many of the old ditches are
dry except after heavy rain, and it will require at least two
years of average rainfall before the normal quantity and
activities of the algal flora improve.

Seasonal Succession.

In most years the first appearance of the various algae
follows much the same order. Vaucheria was found through-
out the year in several locations, though much reduced in
extent and showing a short dense growth. Spirogyra and
Mougeotia appeared about the end of March or the beginning
of April, depending on seasonal conditions. About a week
later Zygnema appeared, then Ulothrix (chiefly zonata),
followed closely by Stigeoclonium tenue , Microspora and
CEdogonium and Batrachospermum moniliforme , in the order
mentioned. About the middle of May Draparnaldia plumosa
and glomerata appeared, and a little later Rhizoclonium hiero-
glyphicum. Cladophora glomerata was seldom found in
quantity before June.

The order of appearance, however, was much influenced
by phenological conditions in the previous year. A year
of drought or a year of heavy rainfall may cause considerable
change in the order, as well as hasten or delay the date of
appearance. Much also depends on the exact type of
weather during the period of optimum 'growth of the algae
mentioned. Any conditions delaying the growth of a
species at its critical period of expansion seriously handicap
that species where it has to compete with another species.
This certainly affects the quantity and often the date of
appearance of certain algae in any particular year. It is
an interesting point to note in passing that the spring
and autumn “ flushes ” of growth of many of these algae
correspond with the marked activity of micro-organisms

120

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

in the soil about the same time, the activity of soil micro-
organisms just preceding the algal expansion. As drainage
water from the soil flows into these streams and ditches it
must be one of the chief causes of the algal expansion.

This “flush” of growth of algae each spring, and a smaller
“ flush ” towards autumn, were first noted by the writer while
in Devonshire. There they also either coincided with the first
flush of growth in the water meadows, or followed immedi-
ately afterwards. The water — originally spring water from a
higher altitude — was added to by field and surface drainage
from the surrounding land. Hence it was at these two
periods, comparatively rich in certain plant foods, that algal
flushes occurred. In a hill-grazing the water would not be
nearly so “ nutritious,” but comparatively richer than during
the rest of the year. This undoubtedly explains much of
the sudden growth expansion of algae in the ditches and
streams of Boghall Glen in spring and autumn. It should
be clearly understood, however, that this sudden growth
peak is quite different to, and independent of, the order in
which different algae appear each year.

Types of Cladophora.

Cladophora proved a difficult alga to determine as two
distinct forms were found. The first form found seemed
to be Cladophora fracta , but afterwards was determined as
Cladophora glomerata with a fracta- like form. Typical Clado-
phora glomerata also occurred in Boghall Burn. Cladophora
in the Leips area is found in the fracta form of C. glomerata.
Cladophora glomerata when first found early in the year in
Boghall Burn showed a fracta- like form. With the increase
in temperature as the summer advanced, the lowering of
the water-level, and in consequence a reduction in the speed
of flow, Cladophora soon assumed the typical glomerata form.
Except for a small quantity of Cladophora collected recently,
only the fracta form of Cladophora glomerata had been found
in the Leips Burn at the two locations where it occurred.
This suggested that the fracta found is the basal part
which survives and from which the typical glomerata
growth ultimately comes. It may also be the form assumed

ALG/E STUDIES FROM BOGHALL GLEN (MIDLOTHIAN7), II. 121

under conditions which are not too favourable for normal
growth.

In the laboratory Cladophora glomerata (form fracta )
retained its typical appearance while kept in test-tubes.
Recently, however, when some was removed in spring to
larger vessels with more water, strands of the Cladophora
glomerata form began to show. In some material recently
collected the fracta form grew, and it was noted that the
basal part remained nearly the same, but there grew out
from it the longer, finer, and branched strands, typical of
Cladophora glomerata. Now in Leips the water-level often
fell rapidly and remained low at times for long spells. Thus
it seems that the amount of water available may be one of
the factors at work in determining the form and appearance
of Cladophora glomerata. It also seems to respond to a
favourable temperature. This is in keeping with the field
observations.

Abnormal Forms.

In conclusion, the problem of abnormal forms of algae
must be mentioned. Several algae show unusual forms under
adverse conditions. Under the varying conditions of Boghall
Glen this was at times very evident and made identifica-
tion far from easy. Draparnaldia ( plumosa and glomerata )
assumed forms very unusual and, at first, difficult to identify.
This generally occurred during periods of drought. Spirogyra
and Mougeotia also produced abnormal forms — at times so
unusual that they almost resembled other algae. Only
experience, enables one to overcome this difficulty, as there
is only a scattered literature dealing with this aspect of
algal growth (Uspenskeja, 1930). On one occasion Mougeotia
was found so abnormal, with a twisted chloroplast, that it
had a strong resemblance to a Spirogyra. Spirogyra some-
times assumed very puzzling forms, generally previous to
breakdown and disintegration of the alga. The spiral form
of chloroplast was lost, and a very indefinite green mass
almost filled the cell. Only after tracing the different stages
was it possible to associate the very abnormal form with
Spirogyra (Matruchot et Mollard, 1902).

It is, of course, a well-known fact that saline solutions

122

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

have very marked effects on algal cells not normally subjected
to such a medium. This has been referred to by Comere (1903,
1905), Richter (1892), and Fritsch and Haines (1922, 1923).
When the cells of certain fresh-water algae are submitted
to saline solutions of high concentration, malformation of
the cells occurs. With the shrinkage of water, especially in
small pools in the stream beds, the concentration of certain
chemical salts must increase, and this doubtless is one of
the chief causes of the abnormal forms. It is invariably
during late summer or early autumn that abnormal forms
are found, never in spring, and very seldom in late autumn
or winter (Butcher, 1933).

REFERENCES.

1892. Richter, A., “Ueber die Anpassung der Siisswasseralgen an Koch-
salzlosungen,” Flora , lxxv.

1902. Matruchot, L., et MOLLARD, M., “Variations de structure d’une

Algue verte sous l’influence du milieu nitrif,” Rev. Gener. de Bot ., xiv.

1903. Comere, J., “ De Faction des eaux salves sur la vegetation de quelques

Algues d’eau douce,” Nuova, Notarisia , xiv.

1905. Comere, J., “De l’influence de la composition chemique du milieu sur
la vegetation de quelques Algues chlorophycees,” Bull. Soc. Bot.
France , lii.

1922. Fritsch, F. E., and Haines, F. M., “The Moisture Relations of
Terrestrial Algae, I. Some General Observations and Experiments,”
Ann. of Bot., vol. xxvi.

1922. Griffiths, B. M., “The Helioplankton of Three Berkshire Pools,”
Journ. Linn. Soc. Bot., vol. xlvi.

1922. Pearsall, W. H., “A Suggestion as to the Factors influencing the

Distribution of a Free-Floating Vegetation,” Journ. Ecol. ., vol. ix.

1923. Fritsch, F. E., and Haines, F. M., “The Moisture Relations of

Terrestrial Algae, II. The Changes during Exposure to> Drought and
Treatment with Hypertonic Solutions,” Ann. of Bot., vol. xxxvii.

1923. Griffiths, B. M., “The Phytoplankton of British Fresh Water and
the Factors determining its Occurrence and Composition, "Journ. Ecol.,
vol. xi.

1930. Uspenskaja, W. Y., “ Uber die Physiologie der Ernaherung und die
Formen von Draparnaldia glomerata, Agardh,” Zeitschr. fiir Botanik ,
Bund xxii.

1933. Butcher, R. W., “Studies on the Ecology of Rivers, I. On the
Distribution of Microphytic Vegetation in the Rivers of Great
Britain ,” Journ. Ecol., vol. xxi., No. I.

1933. Fenton, E. Wyllie, “The Vegetation of an Upland Area (Boghall

Glen, Midlothian),” Scot. Geograph. Mag., vol. xlix.

1934. Boghall Farm, Guides to. (Edinburgh and East of Scotland College of

Agriculture), 1928-1936.

1936. Fenton, E. Wyllie. “The Periodicity and Distribution of Algas in
Boghall Glen (Midlothian),” Scot. Nat., Sept.-Oct.

NOTES

123

NOTES

The Study of Bird-Migration. — The British Trust for
Ornithology has accepted responsibility for the future
conduct of the principal scheme in this country for the
study of migration and other aspects of bird-life by the
ringing method.

Important facilities for the work have been granted by
the Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History), who
are providing accommodation for the headquarters of the
scheme in the Bird Room at South Kensington and per-
mitting the Museum’s address to be used. Rings will in
future be inscribed “British Museum Nat. Hist. London,”
instead of “Witherby High Holborn, London,” with an
individual identification number.

The scheme will now be directed by a special Bird-
Ringing Committee, constituted as follows : — Dr A.
Landsborough Thomson ( Chairman ), Mr A. W. Boyd,
Mr A. B. Duncan, Mr P. A. D. Hollom, the Earl of
Ilchester, the Earl of Mansfield, Mr H. F. Witherby, and
Miss E. P. Leach {Hon. Secretary). British Birds will
continue to be the medium for publishing results.

Jackdaw Breeding in Open Nest. — On 8th May 1937,
when going through a small fir wood on the lower Pentland slopes
near Harperrigg Reservoir, in company with Messrs W. Watson
and D. Molteno, an instance of the Jackdaw breeding in an open
nest came under our notice.

When we first observed the nest we thought it was a Magpie’s,
that bird having nested in the wood the previous year, so were
surprised to see a Jackdaw fly out.

On climbing to the nest, which was in a Scots fir and about thirty
feet from the ground, I found the Jackdaw had a clutch of eggs.

There seemed no doubt that the Jackdaw had built the nest,
and not taken possession of a Magpie’s, as it showed its degenerate
habit of using many pieces of paper and other litter in building the
main structure. An attempt at roofing the nest had been made, but
was nothing like the perfect dome made by its near relative. —
David Hamilton, Edinburgh.

124

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

BOOK NOTICES

Bureau of Animal Population : University of Oxford. Annual
Report, 1935-36. Although Darwin realised the many problems involved
in a study of the animal populations of the world, it is only in recent
years that research on them has been undertaken in earnest. Such
investigations include the variations in the numbers and the movements
of commercially useful animals such as fishes, whales and fur-bearers ;
the conservation of wild life ; the control of pests, and last, but not least,
the control of disease.

The Bureau of Animal Population is housed at Oxford, and after
financial uncertainty for several years we are glad to see that difficulty
has in part, at least, been met.

Interesting work has already been done. The fluctuations in the
vole population have been closely studied. The variations in the
numbers of certain game animals, such as the grouse, partridge, hare
and rabbit, have been watched.

Abroad the status of the Snowshoe Rabbit of North America has
been investigated. The numbers of animals show great variation from
year to year and the underlying causes are undoubtedly climatic, the
controlling factor probably varying for different species. In some cases
temperature may determine the rise and fall of the population, in others
sunshine or rainfall may be the important factor. Dr Goldie has
recently shown that in Scotland there are violent fluctuations and that
they show a three- or four-year cycle.

The report also contains a list of recent important papers.

Altogether this is a very interesting report and one which all
naturalists should read. The Bureau is to be congratulated on the
work which it has done and we look forward with interest to further
reports of its activities.

St Kilda Papers, 1931. Oxford University Press. The island of
St Kilda has for long attracted the attention of naturalists on account
of the interesting native fauna. A small volume has recently been
issued under the above title containing foreword, list of relevant
literature, large-scale map and eleven reprints from various journals.
The principal papers deal with the mice, breeding birds, St Kilda
Wren, early autumn migration in 1931, and the flora of the island.
These are the result of an expedition to the island in 1931, the year
after the last of the islanders had gone over to the mainland. The
edition is limited to fifty copies, of which number twenty-five have
been deposited in different libraries. Scottish naturalists who may
be interested in the matter may consult the copy presented to the
Royal Scottish Museum.

A Vertebrate Fauna of Forth

By LEONORA JEFFREY RINTOUL and EVELYN V. BAXTER

With z6 full-page illustrations and a map of
the Forth Area. 8vo. 456 pages. 25s. net.

EDINBURGH : OLIVER AND BOYD LTD., TWEEDDALE COURT
LONDON: 33 PATERNOSTER ROW, E.C.4

THE NATURALIST

A Monthly Illustrated Journal of Natural History for the North of England

Edited by W. H. PEARSALL, D.Sc., F.L.S., and
W. R. GRIST, B.Sc., The University, Leeds.

With the assistance of a Panel of Referees.

All Communications to be addressed to —

THE EDITORS, “THE NATURALIST/’ THE UNIVERSITY, LEEDS

Annual Subscription, 15s. Single Numbers, is. 6d. net
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The Irish Naturalists’ Journal

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in Ireland.

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The North Western Naturalist

A Scientific and Educational Journal for Lancashire, Cheshire, Shropshire,
Stafford, Derbyshire, North Wales, Cumberland, Westmorland, the
Isle of Man and the North West
Edited by A. A. DALLMAN, F.C.S.

Published Quarterly. Annual Subscription, 7s. 6d. (post free). Single Copies, 2s.

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Review, should be sent to The Editor, A. A. Dallman, 12 Tickhill Road, Doncaster.

Subscriptions and Advertisements should be addressed to the Publishers, T. Buncle
& Co., Market Place, Arbroath, Angus.

CONTENTS

PA OB

The Immigration of Waxwings in Spring 1937 — Evelyn V.

Baxter and Leonora Jeffrey Rintoul . . -93

Common Dolphins in the North Sea — F C. Fraser . . 103

The Lancelet, Branchiostoma lanceolatu?n , at Montrose — A. C.

Stephen ....... 106

The Natural History of the Island of Raasay and of the
Adjacent Isles of South Rona, Scalpay, Longay, and
Fladday (to be continued) : —

IV. Spiders and Allied Groups— Rev. J. E. Hull and J. W.

Heslop Harrison . . . . .107

Algae Studies from Boghall Glen (Midlothian), II. — E . Wyllie

Fenton . . . . . . .115

Book Notices . . . . . .124

Notes :

Bottle-nosed Whales ( Hyperoodon rostratus ) in the River Tay —

Frank Greenshields, 102 ; A Rare Slug, Limax cinereoniger ,
in Midlothian — D. K. Kevan , 102 ; Note on the Sand-Martin
— W. A. McLeod Watson, 113 ; Note on Greenland Wheat-
ear and Waxwing — P. IV. G. Gunn , 1 1 4 ; Rare Weevil,
Otiorrhynchus porcatus , in Scotland — D. K. Kevan , 114;

Smew on Linlithgow Loch — George Waterston , 1 14 ; Goat
Moth, Trypanus cossus, in Caithness — A. R. Waterston , 114 ;

The Study of Bird-Migration, 123 ; Jackdaw Breeding in
Open Nest — David Hamilton , 123

PUBLISHERS’ NOTE.

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should be addressed to the Publishers, Oliver and Boyd Ltd., Tweeddale
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COVERS FOR BINDING “THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST.”

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[September-October

Price 2 s. 3 d. Annual Subscription, payable in advance , 12 s. 6d. post free

The Scottish Naturalist

A Magazine devoted to Zoology

With which is incorporated

“The Annals of Scottish Natural History”

EDITED BY

A. C. STEPHEN, D.Sc., F.R.S.E.

Keeper, Natural History Department , Royal Scottish Museum.

AND

PERCY H. GRIMSHAW, I.S.O., F.R.S.E., F.R.E.S.

Formerly Keeper , Natural History Department , Royal Scottish Museum.

ASSISTED BY

Professor JAMES RITCHIE, M.A., D.Sc.,
F R S K

EVELYN’ V. BAXTER, F.Z.S., H.M.B.O.U.
LEONORA J. RINTOUL, F.Z.S., H.M.B.O.U.

H. S. GLADSTONE, M.A., F.R.S.E., F.Z.S.
C. H. O’DONOGHUE, D.Sc., F.R.S.E.
ANDERSON FERGUSSON, F.R.E.S.

A. R. WATERSTON, B.Sc.

All Articles and Communications intended for publication, and all Books, etc.,
for notice, should be sent to The Editors, Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh.

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EVERY NATURALIST SHOULD READ

The following major articles which have appeared in recent

numbers of The Scottish Naturalist : —

Scottish Insect Immigration Records.

Notes on Highland Diptera. (Illustrated.)

Ferrets and Polecats.

Notes on Whales stranded on the Scottish Coast. (Illustrated.)

Isle of May Bird Observatory.

The Natural History of South Rona. (Illustrated.)

The Occurrence of Gammarus in Scottish Waters.

Notes from Gairloch in Wester Ross.

Scottish Sand-eels.

Further Notes on the Parasites of the Magpie Moth.

Land Planarians of the British Isles.

Lesser Redpoll in Midlothian.

Isle of May Bird Observatory Report.

The Eider in Sutherland and Shetland.

Notes on the Birds of Loch and Forest. (Illustrated.)

Wild and Domestic Cat compared. (Illustrated.)

Kingfishers breeding in Juvenile Plumage.

As well as numerous shorter notices of interesting events in the
Wild Life of Scotland.

Printed and Published in Great Britain by Oliver and Boyd Ltd., Tweeddale Court, Edinburgh
Entered as Second Class at the New York, U.S.A. Post Office

(. Authors are responsible for nomenclature used.)

The Scottish Naturalist

ISLE OF MAY BIRD OBSERVATORY.
Spring Report, 1937.

By The Midlothian Ornithological Club.

The island was under observation from 27th to 28th March,
1st to 23rd April, and 26th April to 29th May.

In addition to certain Edinburgh observers, we are
indebted to the following ornithologists who have helped
us to make the observations as complete as possible : —

Messrs W. B. Alexander, E. Cohen, B. W. H. Coulson,
H. F. I. Elliott, M. F. M. Meiklejohn, D. I. Molteno, and
G. H. Turner.

27th to 2 8th March. — During these two days winds were
light or moderate from the east or north-east. Some
movement of the early spring migrants was evident, and
the most noteworthy visitors were a Woodlark and two
Black Redstarts.

1st to i$th April. — From the 1st April until the night of
7th/8th April winds were generally moderate and varied
between north-east and south-east ; the wind then veered
to the west and varied between that quarter and the south-
east until nth April, when a short period of calm was
followed by the wind settling in the east again ; thereafter
there were light winds from the north and north-east until
the close of the fortnight.

Apart from a period of good visibility and rather bright
weather from 8th to 12th April the fortnight was characterised
by overcast skies and much fog.

A very considerable migration was in progress from
1st to 7th April; on the night of the 7th/8th most of the

No. 227]

1937 [September-October

General Migration and Weather Conditions.

227

Q

126

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

migrants left, and during the period, 7th to 15th, birds were
on the island in much smaller numbers than previously.

The species taking part in these movements were varied
but included few of outstanding interest, and the number
rather than the rarity of the birds was remarkable. Starlings,
Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Blackbirds and Robins were repre-
sented in greatest numbers ; as many as 80 Robins were on
the island on 3rd April, nearly 200 Skylarks on the 6th
and 250 Blackbirds on the 7th. Other migrants to alight on
the island in some numbers during the first week of April
included Chaffinches, Continental Goldcrests, Song-Thrushes,
Fieldfares, Redwings, Black Redstarts, Hedge-Sparrows,
Lapwings, and Woodcock. A few examples of many other
species were recorded and among them two Siskins on the
3rd and a Jack Snipe on the 6th. Ring-Ouzels were seen
on the 6th and 7th and a Tree Pipit was seen on the 7th,
both species appearing earlier than ever recorded before.
Wheatears, which had been arriving in ones and twos since
1st April, increased to a total of 40 on the 7th. A single
Coot was observed on the 4th and by the 15th there were
4 on the island. The first Willow Warbler, soon followed
by one or two others, was seen on the 10th, and further
arrivals during the second week included a male Pintail and
a female Pochard on the 14th, and a Sparrow-Hawk on
the 15 th. This last was a new spring record for the island.
There was a noticeable increase in the number of Fieldfares
on the 13th and of Bramblings on the 14th and 15th.

16/// to 'Z'Srd and 2 6th to 30 th April. — Weather on the
whole was fair with good visibility and little rain, except
on the 16th when rain fell throughout the day. Winds were
light easterly on the 16th and 1 8th, and moderate westerly
on the 17th and from the 19th to 23rd. From the 26th
to 30th winds were light and variable though mainly from
the south-east.

The general tendency throughout the fortnight was for
migrants to decrease, only a few newcomers being observed.
Diurnal migration was in evidence to a considerable extent
on the 19th, when examples of the following species were
seen to pass over or leave the island in a northerly direction :

ISLE OF MAY BIRD OBSERVATORY

127

Hooded Crow, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Meadow Pipit,
Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, White Wagtail, Curlew and
Common Gull. There were 5 Coots on the island on the
19th and 20th. A Stone Curlew (a new record for the Forth
Area) was observed by Mr W. B. Alexander on the 23rd
after four days of moderate westerly winds. Other birds
of interest noted were a Moorhen on the 17th, a Siskin from
the 17th to 19th and another Sparrow-Hawk on the 27th.

1st to i$th May. — Once again the weather was fairly
good although there was some fog on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th.
Winds were moderate south-easterly from the 1st to 3rd,
light north-westerly on the 4th and 5th, light easterly from
the 6th to nth and light north-easterly from the 12th to 15th.

Passerine migrants were almost completely absent until the
evening of the 3rd when 2 Lesser Redpolls and 2 Whinchats
appeared. On the 4th there was a slight increase in the
number of birds and by the 5th there were as many as
30 Willow Warblers on the island. Further arrivals were
few until the 8th when another slight increase was noted, and
birds seen on that day included a Yellow Wagtail and a
Jack Snipe. Little further of interest was observed until the
1 2th; but from that date until the 15th a number of new-
comers were noted, Pied Flycatchers reaching a total of 10
on the 13th and Common Redstarts 20 on the 14th. Other
birds worthy of note were one or two Lesser Whitethroats
from the 10th until the 15 th, a Red-spotted Bluethroat
(. L . .r. svecica) on the 12th, two on the 13th and another on the
14th and 15th ; a Goldfinch (subsp. ?) was seen on the 15th.

1 6th to zqth May. — From the 16th to 20th May the wind
was generally east or south-east and throughout the 19th
blew strongly from the south-east ; on the night of the
20th/2ist it backed to the north-east and was blowing
strongly from this direction on the morning of the 21st.
Subsequently, until the close of the fortnight, winds were
light and varied between the south-west and south-east.

Prior to the 21st there were frequent and sustained
periods of fog; and on the 21st there was prolonged and
heavy rain. From the evening of the 21st visibility was
good or very good apart from fog and drizzle on the 26th.

There were still a number of migrants on the island on

128

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

the 1 6th May, but there were fewer on the 17th and scarcely
any on the 18th, 19th and 20th. Among those noted on the
16th were a Red-spotted Bluethroat, a male Stonechat and
as many as 15 Common Whitethroats, while a Chiffchaff
(of either British or Scandinavian race) was found dead.
On the 17th a male Red-backed Shrike and a Shore-Lark
were observed. A Mealy Redpoll was trapped on the 20th
and remained for three days. Of regular migrants, Sedge-
Warblers and Common Whitethroats were most consistently
present, in small numbers, during the latter part of May.
By the morning of the 21st nearly all the migrants had
passed on ; but from noon until nearly four o’clock a new
arrival of birds took place ; they ceased to appear as soon
as the weather changed in the evening and some clearly left
the island immediately. Included in the movement were
Blackcaps and Garden Warblers in very small numbers,
2 Lesser Whitethroats, a Wood Warbler, another Shore-Lark,
an Ortolan Bunting which remained until the 24th, 2 male
Bramblings, a Nightjar and a number of Swallows and
House-Martins.

Many of the migrants stayed until the 2 2nd, but most had
gone by the 23rd when a late Black Redstart was a newcomer.
There were very few birds about on the 24th, but a Tree
Sparrow, a Reed Warbler, a female Red-backed Shrike,
a Dunlin and the only Cuckoo of the spring had arrived.
The final few days of the season were unproductive of the
more interesting migrants, but late examples of the Willow
Warbler, Common Whitethroat and Spotted Flycatcher were
still present when observers visited the island on 6th June.

Ringing.

During the spring of 1937, 449 adult and 13 young
birds were ringed. These included 1 Mealy Redpoll,
2 Red-backed Shrikes, 69 Willow Warblers, 1 Reed Warbler,
138 Blackbirds, 1 Black Redstart, 2 Red-spotted Bluethroats
and 60 Redbreasts.

Once again we would like to thank the Commissioners
of Northern Lighthouses and the lighthouse-keepers on the
Isle of May for the help that they have given us.

1

GREBES AND OTHER BIRDS AT LINLITHGOW LOCH 129

GREBES AND OTHER BIRDS AT
LINLITHGOW LOCH.

By David Hamilton, Edinburgh.

The past winter will long be remembered by ornithologists
in the Lothians as a Grebe season, many of the lochs within
the area having been visited by one or more species of the
Grebe family, which are normally seldom met with on these
waters.

Linlithgow Loch received its share of this remarkable
influx of grebes, as well as other species not previously
recorded there.

Mr William Watson and I periodically visit this loch,
and during December 1936 and January 1937 we were
delighted to see a Black-necked Grebe, and on both occa-
sions found this bird rather shy. The rotund form and
slender upturned bill, and also the white on the secondaries
when it took flight, were all observed.

Visiting the loch again on 31st January 1937, we were
pleased to see a Red-necked Grebe fishing quite close to the
water’s edge. The characteristic yellow gape of this grebe
makes it easy to identify. During the time we watched
this bird, it caught a great number of fish, and often had
difficulty in disposing of them, owing to their size. Several
times it allowed a fish to get away and then recaptured
it, seemingly in a better position for swallowing. We also
noted this at other lochs, and came to the conclusion that they
were obtaining fish more easily and larger than they were
accustomed to. This bird has already been recorded by
Mr D. I. Molteno, who accompanied us that day.

Twice during February 1937 we found a Slavonian
Grebe on the loch, and in contrast to the Black-necked
Grebe, it was exceedingly confiding, fishing close inshore
though several people were passing by or feeding the swans.
Mr P. Gunn, who accompanied us on one occasion, photo-
graphed this grebe, when only a few feet distant from the
shore. The Slavonian Grebe seems to carry its neck much
more erect than the Black-necked Grebe.

130

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

As the Great Crested Grebe and the Little Grebe are
continually about Linlithgow Loch, this completes the
British list of grebes for this water.

In the Scottish Naturalist , 1931, p. 7, I gave a list of birds
seen at Linlithgow Loch, and included all types observed
while walking round the loch, which numbered fifty species.

Fifteen years before this, an interesting paper on
Linlithgow Loch by the Rev. J. M. M‘William appeared
in the Zoologist , March 1916, and in both accounts the duck
population was practically the same. In Mr M‘William’s
paper only loch types were recorded, and the Great Crested
Grebe and Tufted Duck did not breed there then, but do
so now.

Since the 1931 list a few other species have been
observed at this loch. On 21st October 1934 four Scaup
were seen, three females and one male. During December

1936 a Whooper Swan was about and was quite tame,
coming with Mute Swans to be fed. Twice during February

1937 a Black-throated Diver was observed at the loch
and in the same month a female Smew was seen. ^This
latter bird was previously seen by Mr George Waterston
and the same observer noted two later in the season. It
is rather disappointing that only females or immature Smews
visit this part of the country, and most observers are longing
to see an adult male bird.

It is interesting to note that the Black-necked Grebe,
the Slavonian Grebe, the Smew and the Black-throated
Diver also visited Duddingston Loch during the same
season.

Other species not previously recorded for Linlithgow
Loch are the Linnet, a few seen among the grass on the
north side, and a pair of Partridges at the same place.

A Tree-Creeper was seen on a tree growing in one of
the reed-beds at the north-east corner.

Although the Goosander used to visit this loch in large
numbers a few years ago it is seldom seen now, and the
same may be said of the Cormorant.

NOTES ON SCOTTISH CEPHALOPODS

131

NOTES ON SCOTTISH CEPHALOPODS.

By A. C. Stephen, D.Sc., Royal Scottish Museum.

Two specimens belonging to this group have recently come
to my notice and it may interest readers of the Scottish
Naturalist to have particulars of them.

Giant Squid, Architeuthis harveyi , Verrill.

On the 7th January 1937 this animal was secured by
a trawler fishing off the Bell Rock near Arbroath. It was
alive when taken on board, and from the account received
seems to have put up such a fight that it was got back into
the sea as soon as possible. Before this, however, most of
the two long arms and one of the short ones had been
secured. These came into the possession of Professor A. D.
Peacock, Dundee, and to him I am indebted for the oppor-
tunity of examining the fragments.

The body was said to have been about 7 ft. in length.
The portions of the long arms measured 17 ft. 6 in. and
15 ft. 2 in. in length, and the short arm measured 3 ft. 9 in.
when taken. As is usual in these animals the arms have
shrunk considerably since being preserved. Unfortunately
the horny rings of the suckers were missing from the short
arm ; but the long arms were in perfect condition, except
that the small teeth on the sucker rings were somewhat
shrunk, presumably through having been dried a little
before they were secured and preserved. The various
types of suckers and their arrangement on the long arms
correspond exactly with the description of those given for
Architeuthis harveyi by Verrill (1882).

A very full account of the occurrence of Giant Squids
in the North Atlantic has recently been given by Robson
(1933). From this there would seem to be only three
previous records for Scotland, namely, from North Uist,
Caithness, and Dunbar (Ritchie, 1918, 1922).

The short arm and one of the long arms have been

132

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

presented to the Royal Scottish Museum by Professor
Peacock.

Octopus vulgaris , Lam.

This species has a wide distribution in the Atlantic
and Pacific. In the North Sea it has been recorded from
the coasts of Holland, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, and
Sweden (Grimpe, 1925). It has also been reported from
the Firth of Forth ; but recent writers have cast doubts on
the accuracy of this (Grimpe, 1925 ; Robson, 1929), and in
many cases there is no doubt that it has been confused with
the common Eledone cirrosa (Lam.). It may therefore be of
some interest to record an authentic Scottish specimen, at
present exhibited in Montrose Museum. It was picked up
on the beach at Montrose in 1893 by Mr Duncan, a former
curator of that museum. The specimen is a small one
and is much contracted, the mantle (body) length being
only 1-5 cm. (7/ 12 inch) in length. In this species the skin
is covered with large irregular warts, but in the specimen
in question only a few isolated papillae have as yet been
developed. There seems no doubt, however, as to the
identity of the specimen, and its presence in the Montrose
area in 1893 can only be explained by an unusual set in
the North Sea currents in that year.

I am indebted to Mr N. Johnston and Mr Stewart,
Montrose, for the opportunity of examining the specimen.

REFERENCES.

Grimpe, G. 1925. “Die Cephalopodenfauna der Nordsee,” Wiss. Meeresunters.

Kom. Unters. deutschen meere , N.F. Abt. Heligoland , xvi. Bd., p. 13.

RITCHIE, J. 1918. Scottish Naturalist, \>. 133.

RITCHIE, J. 1922. Rept. Brit. Assoc. Adv. Sci. Edinburgh (1921), p. 423.
Robson, G. C. 1929. “A Monograph of the Recent Cephalopoda,” Brit. Mus .,
vol. i., p. 57-

Robson, G. C. 1933. Proc. Zool. Soc ., London, ii., p. 681.

VERRILL, A. E. 1882. U.S. Fish. Comm. Reports , vii., p. 233.

RECOVERIES OF GANNETS FROM THE BASS ROCK 133

RECOVERIES OF GANNETS FROM THE
BASS ROCK.

By H. W. Robinson, Lancaster.

As we have marked 349 young Gannets here over five years,
perhaps a list of the recoveries may be of interest, together
with the percentage of recoveries to the number marked.

1926 = (6 per cent.)

31st Oct. 1926 at Argenton (Finistere), France,
nth Nov. 1926 at Fecampe (Seine Inferieure), France.

27th Nov. 1927 at Hourel (Bai de Somme), France.

Dec. 1927 at Aljesur (Argave), Portugal.

5th June 1928 at Waag, Faroe Islands.

29th Aug. 1929 near Scarborough, Yorkshire.

1927 = (4 per cent.)

Oct. 1927 at Udny, Aberdeenshire.

19th Oct. 1927 at Dalmeny, West Lothian.

4th Nov. 1927 at Struton Light (Oslo Fjord), Norway.

29th Dec. 1928 at Finistere, France.

1934 = (13-8 per cent.) to date.

March 1935 Cape Blanco: Rio de Oro, West Africa.

4th Oct. 1935 Bay of Biscay, France.

Dec. 1935 off Heligoland.

Dec. 1935 off Heligoland.

1935 = (7-5 per cent.) to date
6th Sept. 1935 Kincardine-on-Forth.

9th Oct. 1935 Larado : 30 miles west of Bilbao, Spain.

30th Aug. 1936 Finistere, France.

1936 = (3-75 per cent.) to date.

20th Sept. 1936 North Berwick.

20th Dec. 1936 Casablanca, Morocco.

Winter 1937 at sea, lat. 59 N. long. 4.20 W. Ring
replaced and released.

227

R

134

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

Two young birds marked by the Midlothian Ornithological
Club in July 1936 have been recovered.

24th Sept. 1936 Durham Coast.

Winter 1937 Amrun: North Frisian Islands, North Germany
(long dead).

All these birds were marked with British Birds rings.

NOTES

Breeding of Great Crested Grebes at Duddingston
Loch. — -Duddingston Loch has always appeared to be a suitable
locality for the Great Crested Grebe, yet records for this species,
even during the non-breeding season, are very few.

In my notes I have a record of one bird seen on 13th October
1900. Another bird was seen 3rd December 1915 by W. T. and
G. G Blackwood. On 3rd March 1909 one was seen by Rev. William
Serle. Another bird was about the Loch for several days during
October 1930 and was recorded by J. Kirke Nash.

It is therefore of special interest to record the breeding of two
pairs during the present year. Early in May a single bird was seen
and by the middle of the month four birds were present, and they
showed unmistakable signs that they intended nesting. About the
middle of June both birds were seen sitting, both nests being about
fifty yards apart. I purposely never went near the nests so that they
would not be disturbed. On 10th July both male birds were
observed to feed the females in the nest. The chicks were seen
in the water on 14th July. — David Hamilton, Edinburgh.

Black-tailed Godwits on the Pentlands. — On Saturday,

1 st May, I saw a Black-tailed Godwit in a grass field at the junction
of the reservoirs, Threipmuir and Harlaw. It sat till I was about
twenty yards from it, then flew, showing off its white tail with the
black basal band. Its feet hung well below the tail in flight, dis-
tinguishing it from the Bar-tailed Godwit. Firstly, it flew off and
then returned and mobbed me, flying round at about fifty yards and
calling “kut kut” continually; it then flew away.

Farther up, on Threipmuir, I disturbed another one or the
same one.

Three Whoopers were still on the reservoir at that date. —
Tom Spence, Edinburgh.

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ISLAND OF RAASAY 135

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ISLAND OF
RAASAY AND OF THE ADJACENT ISLES
OK SOUTH RONA, SCALPAY, LONGAY, AND
FLADDAY.

{Continued from ft. 1 1 3.)

V. THE ERIOPHYIDyE, OR GALLMITES.

By J. W. Heslop Harrison, D.Sc., F.R.S.

This group of Arthropods, for reasons akin to those advanced
in discussing the Cecidomyidae, has, as far as the actual
number of species is concerned, but few representatives in
these islands. However, this deficiency receives compensa-
tion in the excessive number of individuals, and their galls,
encountered in the case of species like Eriophyes Icevis on
Alnus glutinosa, and E. thomasi on Thymus Serpy llum. Such
species as these abound wherever the host plants flourish,
and cause a considerable amount of damage.

As quite a large amount of energy was devoted to the
search for Eriophyidae, it seems very unlikely that the list
now presented will be capable of much expansion.

Eriophyes tenuis Nal. — Although the mites themselves
were not examined, there seems little room for doubt about
the producers of the deformities seen in the inflorescences
of Aira flexuosa , Poa ( Glyceria ) maritima , and other grasses ;
they must have appertained to the present species. Generally
distributed on Raasay, S. Rona, and Scalpay.

E. diver sipunctatus Nal. — This mite attacks the glands
at the bases of the leaves, and the leaves themselves, of the
aspen, Populus tremula. The galls produced recall miniature
distorted cockscombs and occur abundantly on inland cliffs
in the north of Rona and of Raasay. Although the plant
is common in S. Raasay, Scalpay, and Longay, the mite
seems absent.

E. varius Nal. — The gall appears as a reddish erineum
on the leaves of aspens ; common enough on all the
islands.

136

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

E. triradiatus Nal. — Occurs in rosette-like galls on Salix
aurita ; well distributed, but not plentiful.

E. salicis Nal.

E. tetanothrix Nal. — These were taken in “currant”
galls on Salix aurita in sheltered places on the moorlands
of Central Raasay ; quite rare.

E. effusus Can.(?) — An “ erineum ’’-producing form, dis-
covered on 5. Caprea at Balachuirn and somewhat sparingly on
S. aurita . Canestrini reported this form from 5. daphnoides ,
so that the identification needs checking.

E. avellance Nal. — Produces “big” bud on hazel; quite
rare, Arish Burn, Raasay, streamside, Central Rona, and
N. Scalpay.

E. rudis Can. — This mite is responsible for “big” bud
on birch ; widely spread but astonishingly rare in this guise.
On the other hand the erineum-producing form occurs
abundantly, even on Lon gay.

E. Icevis Nal. — Responsible for reddish excrescences on
the upper sides of the leaves of Alnus glutinosa ; excessively
common.

E. nalepa Fockeu. — Forms a projection, visible on the
upper surface of alder leaves, between the midrib and
secondary veins ; occurs commonly everywhere.

E. brevitarsus Fockeu. — The erineum-producer of alder
leaves ; common on all the islands.

E. drabce Nal. — Scarce and local, on Cardamine hirsuta
growing on the shingle near Eyre Point ; aborts the flowers
and causes hypertrophy of the leaves of the host plant.

E. rhodiolcz Can. — This species causes the development of
reddish, tubercular excrescences on the leaves of Sedum
rhodiola. Although the plant occurs commonly on many
cliffs on Rona, Raasay, and Scalpay, the mite appears to be
restricted to examples growing at an elevation of 1450 feet
on Dun Caan, Raasay.

E. piri Pagenst. — Abundant on all the islands including
Longay; it forms thick, whitish pustules on the leaves of
mountain ash ( Sorbus Aucuparid).

E.gibbosus Nal. — Forms a grey silkiness on various Rubi ;
not common, on Raasay only.

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ISLAND OF RAASAY 137

E. silvicola Can. — Very rare on Rubus saxatilis on N.
Seal pay.

E. padi Nal. — Occurs in shortish nail galls on bird
cherry ( Prunus Padus) ; only detected on the Allt Liath on
Scalpay.

E. euaspis Nal. — Thickens and distorts the leaves of Lotus
j corniculatus ; may be found sparingly with the food plant
everywhere.

E. callunce Swant. — Produces “ hoariness ” on heather
foliage ; not rare.

E. minor Nal. — Recognisable from its terminal gall
consisting of abnormally deformed leaves and buds ;
sparingly on every island, wherever thyme grows.

E. thomasi Nal. — Forms a more or less dense, regular,
mass of distorted flowers and leaves, covered freely with a
white pilosity ; in enormous quantities on Thymus spp.
everywhere.

E. anceps Nal. — Rare on the leaves of the Germander
Speedwell ( Veronica Chamcedrys ) ; Raasay only.

E. euphrasies Nal. — Also unexpectedly rare, on Eyebright ;
Raasay and Scalpay.

E. galii Nal. — Causes the inrolling of the leaves of
Galium aparine and G. saxatile\ in great quantities on the
former plant on the shingle and slopes of S.E. Raasay, but
to be found on all the islands.

E. galiobius Can. — On flowers of G. saxatile ; somewhat
rare on Raasay, and near Loch a Mhuilinn on Scalpay.

Phyllocoptes populi Nal. — On leaves of aspen ; widely
spread on all three islands.

P. rigidus Nal. — Rare on Raasay, forming a “frosting”
on Taraxacum leaves.

Epitrimerus trinotus Nal.;

E. longitarsus Nal. — Both of the Epitrimeri are to be
found in company with the usual Eriophyes spp. on alder ;
on every island.

138

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

VI. HYMENOPTERA SYMPHYTA ON THE ISLAND
OF RAASAY.

By Frank Greenshields, B.Sc., Ph.D., Department of Natural

History, University College (University of St Andrews), Dundee.

Introduction.

A COLLECTION of Hymenoptera Symphyta was made by
Mr A. T. Baxter of this Department in the second fortnight
of July 1934, and by myself in the first fortnight of August
1:935. The following is an account of the specimens taken,
together with a few notes of biological interest.

In all 36 species were taken, 10 of which had also been
found on the adjacent island of South Rona in 1933
(Sanderson and Greenshields, 1935); several new vice-county
records, and at least one new Scottish record, were established.

In addition to being regarded as complementary to the
list for South Rona quoted above, the present records may
be read in conjunction with the report published by the
Department of Botany, Armstrong College, in the Proceedings
of the University of Durham Philosophical Society (vol. x.,
part 5), in which Professor J. W. H. Harrison records Sir ex
gigas and three species of Poniania in his list of Hymenoptera.

Parthenogenesis.

Some of the material collected was utilised in connection
with researches on virgin birth at present being pursued in
this Department, detailed results of which investigations
are to appear in another journal. However, it will be
convenient to make some mention of the form of partheno-
genesis obtaining in each species where this is known and
also to give the chromosome numbers where these have been
determined.

Biological Note.

It is interesting to note that some of the material brought
to Dundee enabled me to rear, by adopting very special
measures with regard to atmospheric factors, adults from
eggs laid parthenogenetically by a female of Arge ustulata ,
a form which has hitherto baffled all attempts, including
those of von Siebold and Peter Cameron. The individuals

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ISLAND OF RAASAY 139

raised in this way were males and had a complement of
8 chromosomes.

Lists.

In view of the fact that many of the specimens were
collected as larvae which did not reach the adult state, and
since it is no easy matter to identify species from larvae, it
has been thought that in some cases a short description of
the larvae should be given in order to make authoritative
correction possible.

The nomenclature followed is that of Enslin (1918) for
the Tenthredinidce and Waterston, J., in Chrystal, R. N. (1928)
for the Siricidce. Reference is made to the Watsonian Vice-
counties (Watson, H. C., 1883), of which that embracing
Raasay and South Rona is numbered 104.

Family Tenthredinidce.

1. Arge ustulata L. Larvae feeding on Betula alba.
21 specimens. Body colour bright green. Body form bow-
shaped in transverse section, dorsum highly arched ; lateral
lappets present ; segments bear, on each side, about 4 rows
of black thorns on slight papillae, and on each side of the
dorsal line a green line extends the length of the body ; the
median part of each segment consists of 3 or so transverse
elevations. Head noticeably narrower than thorax, high-
domed, broader at mouth line than at vertex ; colour pale
yellow, with a dark brown median line extending from “ neck ”
region over vertex to “ face,” where it receives a transverse
brown line from the region of the eye.

Species is univoltine. Cameron (1884) describes it as
Hylotoma ustulata and says that it is common in Scotland.
This is a new vice-county record.

Adult females reared (16 chromosomes as diploid
number). Arrhenotokously parthenogenetic. Males have
8 chromosomes.

2. Cimbex femorata L. (C. sylvarum of Cameron). Larvae
feeding on Betula alba and B.pubescens. 18 specimens taken.

3. Cimbex lutea L. Larvae feeding on Salix aurita.
34 specimens taken. Adult females reared. Not common
in Scotland ; Cameron records it from “ Perthshire and from
South of England.” First county record.

140

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

4. Trichiosoma sorbi Htg. (T. scalesii of Cameron).
Larvae feeding on Mountain Ash ( Sorbus aucuparia).
Extremely plentiful on two trees on Raasay. First county
record.

5. Trichiosoma lucorum L. Larvae feeding on Betula alba
and B. pubescens. 37 specimens. Adult females reared ;
arrhenotokous ; females 16 and males 8 chromosomes.
Common in Scotland. First county record.

6. A bia lonicerce L. Larvae feeding on Honeysuckle
(. Lonicera P ericlymenum). 20 specimens taken. Head black ;
trophi and borders of mouth white. Body : dorsum bluish-
grey ; ventrum white. A. fas data of Cameron. Previously
recorded only from Clober. First county record.

7. Dineura virididorsata Retz. Larvae eating epidermis
of Betula alba and B. pubescens. 9 specimens. Also on
S. Rona. Very common in Scottish Birch Woods.

8. Dineura testaceipes Kl. Larvae eating epidermis of
Sorbus aucuparia. 5 specimens. Common in Scotland.

9. Platycampus luridiventris Fall. Larvae eating holes in
leaves of Alnus rotundifolia Mill. 4 taken. Camponiscus
luridiventris of Cameron. Common in Scotland.

10. Cladius pectinicornis Geoffr. Larvae feeding on Dog
Roses ( Rosa canina). 9 taken. Also on S. Rona.

11. Cladius difformis Panz. Larvae on Rosa canina.
14 taken. Adults of both sexes reared.

Cameron (1884) and Malloch (1914) state that C. difformis
is synonymous with C. pectinicornis. According to Cameron
the antennae of the male of this form ( C . pectinicornis') bear
4 long processes. Enslin, on the other hand, distinguishes
between two species ; C. pectinicornis Geoffr. with 4 antennal
processes and C. difformis Panz. with but three. Both of
these were taken on Raasay as larvae and adults were reared ;
so that this is the first Scottish record of the form with three
antennal processes.

12. Priophorus padi L. Larvae eating holes on underside
of leaves of Sorbus aucuparia and Cratcegus monogyna Jacq.
11 specimens. Also on S. Rona. Male reared. First
county records.

13. Priophorus tener Zadd. 16 larvae taken from Sorbus

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ISLAND OF RAASAY 141

aucuparia. Male reared. Identified by Mr Benson. First
county record. This form is regarded by Enslin as the same
as the P. tristis Zadd. which has been recorded in Scotland
from Clyde and Dumfries areas.

14. Pontania pedunculis Htg. Galls on Salix aurila.
Very common. Also on S. Rona. First county records.

15. Pontania viminalis L. Galls on Creeping Willow
(Salix repens). 39 specimens. Also on S. Rona. This form
is the Nematus salicis-cinerece of Cameron. Harrison (1937)
suggests that the gall of the form on Salix repens differs
significantly from that of the ordinary P. viminalis and that
there is a difference in the number of broods.

16. Pontania caprece L. Galls on Salix aurita. 17
specimens. Not common in Scotland. Has been found in
the neighbouring county of Sutherland, according to Cameron;
First vice-county record.

17. Pontania puella L. Larvae taken from leaves of Salix
aurita. 27 taken. Common on Caprea willows throughout
Scotland. First county record.

18. Croesus septentrionalis L. Larvae feeding on Alnus
rotundifolia. 40 specimens taken. Univoltine in Scotland.
Arrhenotokous ; female 16 chromosomes, male 8. Very
common, widespread distribution in Scotland. First county
record.

19. Croesus latipes Vill. Larvae feeding along the edges
of leaves of Betula alba and B. pubescens. 47 taken. Head
fuscous, darker towards vertex, with a dark line in front
and extending over the vertex. Body : dorsum shining
dark bronze; first segment bears white on anterior edge,
last segment bears a single “ supra-anal plate ” ; ventrum
shining, fuscous. Not common in Scotland. First county
record.

20. Nematus erichsoni Htg. Larvae feeding on Larch

(. Larix europea D.C.). 19 taken. Not common in Scotland.

First county record.

21. Nematinns bilineatus Kl. Larvae eating holes in
leaves of Alnus rotundifolia from the underside. Females
reared. Univoltine in Scotland. Widespread and common.
Thelytokous ; females 16 chromosomes. First county record.

327 3

142

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

22. Ptei'onidea melanocephala L. Larvae feeding on Salix
aurita and cinerea ; also on Betula alba. 44 taken. Also
found on S. Rona. Not common in Scotland, though I have
taken it abundantly at Buddon Ness in Angus. First county
records.

23. Pteronidea ribesii Scop. Larvae on Gooseberry ( Ribes
Grossularid). 28 taken. Widespread and common in
Scotland. Arrhenotokous ; females 16, males 8 chromosomes.

24. Pteronidea pavida Lep. Larvae feeding on Salix
aurita and S', cinerea. 29 specimens taken. Bivoltine in
Scotland. Arrhenotokous; females 16, males 8 chromosomes.
Common on Caprea willows. First county records.

25. Pteronidea nigricornis Lep. Larvae feeding on Salix
aurita. 23 taken. Also on S. Rona. Females reared.
Females 16 chromosomes. First Scottish records.

26. Pteronidea curtispina C. G. Thoms. Larvae feeding
on Salix aurita. 2 specimens taken. Not common in
Scotland. First county record.

27. Pteronidea oligospila Forst. Larvae feeding on Salix
aurita and S. cinerea. 6 taken. First county record.

28. Pteronidea polyspila Forst. Larvae feeding on Salix
aurita. n taken. Common on Alder according to Malloch
(1914). First county record.

29. Amauronematus viduatus Zett. Larvae feeding on
Salix aurita. Identified by Mr Benson from reared females.
First county record. Recorded by Malloch (1914) from
Irvine.

30. Lygonematus laricis Htg. Larvae feeding on Larix
europea D.C. 7 specimens taken. First county record.

31. Selandria stramineipes Kl. Larvae on Bracken ( Pteris
aquilina). Also on S. Rona. Arrhenotokous; females 16,
males 8 chromosomes. First county record.

32. Empria pulverata Retz. Larvae feeding on Alnus
rotundifolia. 40 specimens taken. Univoltine in Scotland.
Thelytokous ; females 16 chromosomes. Very common on
Alders in Scotland.

33. Rhogogaster punctulata Kl. Larvae on Alnus rotundi-
folia and Sorbus aucuparia. Very common in Scotland.
First county record.

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ISLAND OF RAASAY 143

34. Rhogogaster viridis L. Larvae feeding on Alnus
rotundifolia. 5 specimens taken. Polyphagous. Widespread
distribution in Scotland. First county record.

Family Siricidce. (Identified by means of Waterston’s keys.)

35. Sir ex cyaneus L. Single adult female taken from
Scots Pine (. Pinus sylvestris). Not uncommon in Scotland
within recent years. Probably imported with Baltic timber.
First vice-county record.

36. Sir ex gigcis L. Adult females on Pinus sylvestris.
6 taken. This Continental destroyer of conifers is becoming
alarmingly common in Scotland. I have seen many trees
riddled by its ravages. Arrhenotokous ; females 16, males
8 chromosomes. First vice-county record.

In addition to the above Hymenoptera Symphyta
a specimen of the large Ichneumon, Rhyssa persuasoria ,
whose eggs parasitise larvae of Sirex living in the trunks
of pines, was taken by Mr L. C. Comrie, B.Sc., who has
kindly supplied the following account of its capture : — “ In
the Pine Woods above the Sawmill at Raasay on 3rd August
1935, at 6 P.M. on a dull misty day, a Rhyssa female was
seen laying in a cut stump 5 feet high and was watched for
some time. It finally extracted its ovipositor, which had
been inserted to a depth of between 2 and 3 inches, and flew
off slowly but steadily with legs dangling. On the next day,
at the same time, the stump was revisited, and again I found
and watched a female laying a few eggs. It was thereupon
captured. The stump, which had probably been cut in 1935
or ’34, since it showed no signs of decay, showed no emergence
holes of Sire: r, though older logs did have such holes.”

First county record.

Acknowledgments.

The writer desires to thank the Carnegie Trust for a
Research Scholarship during the tenure of which the
collections made at Raasay were incidental to researches on
parthenogenesis in the Hymenoptera Symphyta. Thanks
are due also to Mr A. T. Baxter for some larvae he collected
in 1934; to Mr Comrie for the account of the Rhyssa
227 s 2

144

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

captured by him; to Dr A. C. Stephen and Mr A. R.
Waterston, both of the Royal Scottish Museum, for putting
their services and museum records at my disposal ; to
Mr R. B. Benson, of the British Museum (Natural History),
for the identification of certain adults ; to the leaders of the
Expedition, Professors J. W. Heslop Harrison, F.R.S., and
A. D. Peacock, F.R.S.E., for their invitation to Raasay and
especially to the latter for laboratory facilities at University
College, Dundee.

REFERENCES.

ENSLIN, E. Die Tenthredinidoidea Mitteleuropas , Berlin, 1918.

Harrison, J. W. H. “The Natural History of the Isle of Raasay and of the
Adjacent Islands of South Rona, Scalpay, Fladday and Longay,” Proc. Lfniv.
Durham Philos. Soc ., vol. x., pt. 5, 1936.

HARRISON, J. W. H. “ The Gallmaking Sawflies of the Genus Pontania in
Durham and Northumberland,” The Entomologist , vol. lxx., No. 887, April 1937.
MALLOCH, J. R. “List of Clyde Tenthredinidae (Sawflies),” Scottish Naturalist,
1914.

Sanderson, A. R., and Greenshields, F. “ Tenthredinidse,” in “Natural
History of South Rona,” Scottish Naturalist , Jan.-Feb. 1935.

WATERSTON, J., in “The Sirex Wood Wasps and their Importance in Forestry,”
by R. N. Chrystal, Bull. Entom. Research, vol. xix., pt. 3, 1928.

WATSON, H. C. Topographical Botany, London, 1883.

Iceland Gull at Musselburgh. — As the gull family comprise
the majority of birds to be seen at Musselburgh now, I have been
watching them closely, and on the 22nd of June I saw an Iceland
Gull among them ; its general whiteness first attracted my attention,
the white being relieved by a few brown markings. It seemed to
be in good health and I think it is worth recording as it is such an
unusual date to see this species. — D. I. Molteno, Musselburgh.

Dotterel near Edinburgh. — I thought that you might be
interested to know of the occurrence of a pair of Dotterels in the
immediate vicinity of Edinburgh. On the evening of 23rd May
I was walking with a friend on the Braids when my attention was
attracted to a pair of Plovers feeding on the golf course. At first
I thought that they were Golden Plovers, but they allowed me to
approach within ten yards and at that distance there was no difficulty
in identifying them as Dotterels. Both birds were in full plumage,
one, it seemed to me, being slightly more heavily marked on the
underparts than the other. This bird was damaged; it was unable
to run and only managed to hobble rather painfully, while there was
a feather broken on the right wing. The other bird tried to distract
my attention from its mate by running off, but eventually both took
flight together and settled again a little way off. — J. C. Wykes,
Loretto.

THE SCOTTISH ONYCH / UR I DAL

145

CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS A KNOWLEDGE
OF THE SCOTTISH ON YCHIURIDyE (COLLEM-
BOLA), II.

( Continued from p. 90.)

By Richard S. Bagnall, D.Sc., F.R.S.E.

Onychiurus waters toni sp.n.

A small species coming near armatus from which it differs in the
few vesicles of the PAO (18-22); the presence of 4 + 4 pseudocelli
along the lower margin of the head ; by the comparatively large feet,
those of the hind pair being approximately twice as long as the AH,
and by the short, straightish AH which are set on distinct tubercles,
well separated basally. The pso. of Abd. V number 3 + 3 in a
slightly arcuate series, and the longest apical bristle is 2-5 times as
long as the AH.

Barra, Outer Hebrides, 6 examples ( Waterston ), vii.35.

Edinburgh district, locally common ; in Dalmeny Estate I found
several hundred one day, under logs lying on grassland, January
1937-

debilis Group.

Onychiurus debilis (Mon.) Denis.

Bagnall, 1935, Vasculum , vol. xxi., p. 102.

This is not the debilis of Bagnall, which is a small form coming
near waterstoni sp.n. and armatus . O littoralis Diirkop must be sunk
as a synonym of the true debilis , and other synonyms (according
to Denis) are neglectus Schaff and litoreus Fols. I am able to show
that there are other species falling in the group and, pending
study, have described an inland species, O. moniezi Bagn. from
the North of England, and two further species herein, whilst I have
also reinstated evansi as a good species.

O. debilis is a true halophile and is found under stones
below high-water mark between Granton (Edinburgh) and South
Queensferry.

Onychiurus evansi Bagn.

I have received an example of O. debilis from Denis (who
redescribed the species). There are several allied species in my
collection, and pending further study I am forced to regard evansi
as a good species. It differs in its smaller size and more delicate
form, in the nature of its PAO, the form of its smaller foot and the
relatively shorter empodial appendage,

146

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

Onychiurus thalassophilus sp.n.

This and the next species fall into the debilis group and differ
from all known species in that the empodial appendage of the foot is
vestigial , being reduced to a minute, stumpy process.

Length 1*5 mm. Form much as in debilis ; AH about 3-0
times as long as laterally broad at base, set on papillae which are
about 0-35 the length of the AH and separated by less than their
length; the longest bristles of Abd. VI are about 2-5 times the
length of the AH. Hind foot about 0-75 the length of the tibio-
tarsus and 1-4 to i*6 times as long as the AH. The PAO is
composed of c. 16-20 narrow, elongated, ovate or fusiform tubercles
which are not contiguous; the length of the long axis is about 0-5
the length of hind claw.

Scotland, Dalmeny Estate shore, well below high-water mark,
12.V.35, in numbers, and occasionally since; South Queensferry,
xii.34, a few. Durham, shore near Ryhope Dene, 1 only, vi.34.

Onychiurus imminutus sp.n.

A smaller species than thalassophilus but in general form,
relative lengths of AH, feet, etc., much as in that species. It is
sharply differentiated by its much more slender AH, and by the
unusually small PAO which is composed of some 28-30 shorter
minute ovate contiguous tubercles, and the long axis of which is
only 0-35 the length of the hind foot. Further material will
doubtlessly reveal further differences.

Dalmeny Estate shore, 1 example well below high-water mark,
3. viii.35, and another above tide mark, io.i.37.

fimetarius Group.

Onychiurus fi?netarius (Auct.) Stach.

A largish species without anal horns, of which I am collecting
material for study. Occasionally taken in fields and gardens,
Edinburgh district.

Onychiurus pygmceus sp.n.

A minute species of the fimetarius group which apart from its
size differs considerably in the pseudocelli and chsetotaxy of the
abdomen.

The lower and outer pso. behind the antenna comes close to
the nearer one within the post-antennal area. There are only
2 + 2 dorsal pso. on Abd. V, which are strongly oblique, whilst
the other'pso. appear to be as follows : Th. i, 0 + 0, subcoxal 1 + 1 ;
Th. ii, 1 + 1, postero-lateral 1 + 1 and subcoxal 1 + it; Th. iii, 1 + 1,
postero-lateral and subcoxal, ?, ? Abd. I, 1 + 1, lateral ?o + o;

THE SCOTTISH ONYCHIURIDYE

H7

Abd. II, 1 + 1, lateral 1 + 1, and Abd. Ill and IV 0 + 0 and 0 + 0
each. Foot shortish, empodial appendage shorter than claw with
basal half lightly laminate.

Edinburgh fields, not uncommon, ii.35 onwards.

ambulans Group.

Onychiurus ambulans (Nic.).

Stach, 1934, Ann. Mus. Zool. Polonici , vol. x., p. 175, pis. xxxiv.

and xxxv.

The above is not the ambulans of Handschin, nor does Stach
include references to the latter in his citations. It is, however,
the ambulans of Lubbock and other British authors and would
appear to be widely distributed in Great Britain.

Edinburgh district in numbers.

Onychiurus rectospinatus Stach.

1922, Ann. Mus. Nat. Hung ., vol. xix., p. 8, pi. 1, f. 1-5 ; O. ambulans
rectospinatus Stach, 1934, Ann. Mus. Zool. Polonici , vol. x.,
p. 183, pis. xxxiv. and xxxv.

Sharply distinguished from the above by the straight AH. I
have found this species in Beds, Yorks, and Durham in numbers
on chalk and limestone, whilst it is common in the Edinburgh
district in more barren localities than appear to be affected by
ambulans. First British records.

Onychiurus subambulans Denis.

1935, Bull. Sci. Bourgogne , vol. v., p. 32, figs. 1-3.

I first found this species in numbers at South Queensferry in
December 1934, and set it (and another species of the ambulans
group) aside for study. In the more widely spaced and noticeably
longer and relatively more slender AH, and in the form of the long
slender claw in which the empodial appendage is shorter than the
inner margin of the claw and is separated from it basally. Denis
has shown, also, that the ventral organ of the £ is in the form of
a broad pouch situated between the segments II and III and
furnished on both the anterior and posterior faces with numerous
minute setulse, thus differing considerably from the $ organ in
ambulans and rectospinatus , which is composed of two “tubules”
on II and a dozen or so on III as figured by Stach.

Scotland, South Queensferry in numbers, xii.34 onwards ;
Edinburgh district occasionally. Northumberland, Alnmouth,
1 only, iv.36, and Durham, Ryhope, vi.34, Gibside Woods, not
uncommon, v.36 onwards, and Fatfield, i.37.

148

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

Onychiurus laminatipes sp.n.

for Onychiurus amhulans Handschin (nec Auct.), 1920, Verh. Naturf

Ges. Basel , vol. xxxii., p. 23, figs. 45-48 (with v. inermis ).

In view of the strong basal lamella of empodial appendage in all
the feet this cannot be referred to either of the preceding species.
It is undoubtedly rare with us and I have, as yet, only found a few
examples on the banks of the Almond between Cramond Brig and
Cramond, ii.35 and x.35, and in the Edinburgh neighbourhood.

Onychiurus bearei sp.n.

Length c. 0.8 to 0.9 mm. Colour, white. Surface somewhat
strongly granular, especially the head; body bristles strong and
unusually long. PAO of ambulans- type with 16 compound tubercles.
Feet with simple claw and laminate empodial appendage. AH
slender, curved, 0-4 to 0-5 the length of the longest posterior
bristles and c. 0-7 (o-8) the length of the hind foot. The longer
body bristles 1.25 to 1-5 times the length of the hind foot.

The small size, slender AH and noticeably long body bristles
serve to separate this species from laminatipes.

Edinburgh, several, garden, vi.35, and occasionally from fields
in the neighbourhood.

The following is a key to the British species of the ambulans-
fimetarius-gyow p, in which both the AH and laminate empodial
appendage of foot are present : —

1. AH very long, about 5-0 times as long as laterally broad

before base and substantially longer than the hind foot.
Abd. V furnished with 2 pairs of short dorsal spines.

O. edinensis Bagn.

AH of normal length, substantially shorter than the hind
foot. Abd. V not furnished with spines . . 2

2. Length 2-o-2-5 mm. Hind foot i-6-i-8 times the length of

AH ; longest bristles of Abd. IV and V about as long as
hind foot . . . . O. laminatipes sp.n.

Length o*8-o*9 mm. Hind foot 1-4 times as long as the
AH; longest bristles of Abd. IV and V c. i*3-i*5 times
the length of hind foot . . O. bearei sp.n.

Tullbergiin^e.

Stenaphorura axelsoni Bagn.

1935, Ent. Mo. Mag., vol. lxxi., p. 172 ; 1936, loc. cit .,
vol. lxxii., p. 39.

The full synonymy is given in the second reference above

THE SCOTTISH ONYCHIURIDsE

149

cited. One of our commoner species, of which I have examples
from Perthshire, Stirlingshire, Argyllshire, and Dumbartonshire.

Stenaphorura denisi Bagn,

1 935, l°c- c^"> vol- 1XXG P- I72> figs. 6-9.

A readily recognised and common species found abundantly in
the Edinburgh district, Perthshire, etc.

Stenaphorura quadrispina Born.

Old records must be regarded with some suspicion as most are
referable to S. axelsoni. I have recently recorded a single small
example (Ent. Mo. Mag ., vol. Ixxii., p. 39) found on the slopes of
Ben Vorlich (Dumbarton) at about 1000 feet, 28.vii.35.

Stenaphorura lubbocki Bagn.

1935, l°c' dt-i v°l- lxxi-> P- 1 73j figs- 10, 11; 1936, loc. cit .,
vol. Ixxii., p. 40.

Described from single examples found at Gleneagles (Perth-
shire) and Ravenscar (E. Yorks) viii.34. Apparently less rare in
the West — Ardlui (Dumbarton) several, 28.vii.35, and one example
at the foot of the Cobbler (Argyllshire) 3.viii.35, On both occasions
wet weather made collecting almost impossible.

Stenaphorura absoloni Bagn.

1936, loc. cit., vol. Ixxii., p. 40, figs. 24, 25.

This species is sharply separated from others of the axelsoni
group (into which it would otherwise fall) by the structure of the
post-antennal organ which is broad and regular in form, and com-
prises two series of 26-34 double-headed vesicles.

It is described from Corstorphine, Hill, Edinburgh, 3.^35, and
onwards, where it is not uncommon.

Neotullbergia laingi Bagn.

1936, loc. cit., vol. Ixxii., p. 35, figs. 12-14.

Two species of this genus, characterised by the branched AH,
are now known, one from the Mediterranean and this species
described from East Yorks (viii-ix.34) and Corstorphine Hill,
Edinburgh, 3-ii.35, in each case single examples only. The British
species is larger than tricuspis (Born.) and possesses a complex post-
antennal organ.

Metaphorura borneri Bagn.

1936, loc. cit., vol. Ixxii., p. 36, figs. 16-17.

A fine species and readily separated from M. bipartita Handschin

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

150

by the more numerous pseudocelli (20), the long last abdominal
segment and the short space separating the AH.

Corstorphine Hill and neighbourhood, common, iv.35 onwards;
fields around Edinburgh, occasional, iii-vii.35; Pentlands near
Lothianburn, 1 only at c. 1000 feet, xii.34, and South Queensferry
1 only. Several examples at Gleneagles and Crieff, viii.34; Hawick,
i-37-

Mesaphorura thalassophila sp.n.

The remaining species of Metaphorura and our known
Mesaphorura will be described in the final part of my “ British
TullbergiuiceP One species of Mesaphorura , however, should now
be recorded — it is a small form allied to krausbaueri and allies,
but is sharply separated from all European species by having the
post-antennal organ compound as in M. silvicola and other extra-
European species. Further it is a true halophile, active, and is
found under stones well below high-water mark on the shores of
the Firth of Forth, Dalmeny Estate, ii.35 onwards.

Mesaphorura iowensis Mills.

Tullbergia iowensis Mills 1932, Iowa State College,

J of Sci., vol. vi. No. 3, p. 264, figs. 5-8.

This species is sharply differentiated from all others by the
armature of the fifth abdominal segment which carries two heavy
dorsal spines overhanging the pso. of that segment.

Hawick, under stones embedded in heavy clayey soil, i.37.
Previously known from U.S.A., Hungary, and Poland, whilst I also
have received specimens from Roumania.

Paratullbergia carpenteri Bagn.

1 93 5, l°c' cit"> v°l- Ixxi., p. 168, figs. 1-3.

This fine species is widely distributed in Great Britain. Scottish
examples are from Edinburgh district; Pentland Hills (xii.34-iv.35) ;
Dalmeny shore, viii.34 ; Gleneagles, 1 only, and Callander, several
from under stones deeply embedded in the sandy soil of the banks
of the Leny, viii.34; foot of Ben Vorlich near Ardlui, vii.35.

Paratullbergia macdougalli Bagn.

1936, loc. cit ., vol. lxxii., p. 37, figs. 18, 19.

This species, dedicated to Prof. R. Stewart Macdougall, LL.D.,
D.Sc., whilst plentiful in its Edinburgh habitat would appear to
be otherwise rare — indeed I have only one other record, Ravenscar
(E. Yorks).

Corstorphine Hill, Edinburgh, iv.35 onwards, not uncommon.

{Concluded .)

BOOK NOTICES

I5i

BOOK NOTICES

The Lore of the Lyre-Bird. By AMBROSE PRATT. Melbourne :
Robertson and Mullens. Pp. 71, 16 plates, 3rd Edition. 1937. Price 5s.
The lyre-bird is familiar to all, but its restricted range in Australia and
elusive habits have hitherto rendered the study of its behaviour a difficult
undertaking. Since 1931 a lady, who lives hermit-wise in the Dandenong
Ranges, has enjoyed an unprecedented opportunity of studying this bird.
By chance, a lyre-bird visited her garden and has been an almost
constant visitor for six years. The bird became tame and ornithologists
quickly seized the opportunity to investigate its habits. Menura, the
lyre-bird, is an excellent mimic and the male is fond of displaying
his wonderful plumage. Mr Ambrose Pratt, President of the Royal
Zoological Society of Victoria, has studied this specimen closely and
has also collected much curious lore concerning the species. The
photographic illustrations are excellent for so difficult a subject, and the
various attitudes assumed by the lyre-bird when singing and dancing
are of great interest. Curators of museums should be especially
interested in Plate n of Menura dancing and singing. “The Menura
spreads his tail fanwise, and brings it forward over his head, with the
lyre plumes extended widely at the sides. The picture shows that the
conventional design — used, e.g., on Commonwealth postage stamps —
is incorrect.” The same remarks also apply to many of the mounted
specimens of males in our museums. Altogether this is a most entrancing
book which deserves a wide circulation in this country.

A Monograph of the British Neuroptera. Vol. II. By F. J.
Killington. London: Ray Society, 1937. Pp. v + 306, 15 plates,
46 text figs. 8vo. Price 25s. The present volume deals with the
lacewing flies (families Hemerobiidae and Chrysopidas) and 42 species
are described in detail. The author has been at pains to revise the
nomenclature, and in an appendix proposes a new genus Kimminsia to
contain the five species formerly placed in the genus Boriomyia which
has no representatives in this country. A further appendix deals with
the methods of collecting, preserving, and rearing the various species,
and should be of great practical value.

We hope that this excellent monograph will reawaken the interest
of Scottish entomologists in the Neuroptera, since much work remains to
be carried out before we can have any comprehensive idea of the present
distribution of these fine insects.

Bird Migration. By A. Landsborough Thomson. Bird-Lovers’
Manuals (H. F. & G. Witherby). Illustrated, 5s.

A short account of our knowledge of bird migration has for long
been needed and this book adequately fills this gap. The subject is
treated in four sections. The first gives an account of the different
types and phenomena of migration, the second the directions, seasons
and methods of migration, the third the immensity, complexity and
regularity of migration, and in the last the various theories which

52

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

have been put forward as to the manner and causes of migration are
discussed.

A number of photographs, maps and diagrams are used with success
to illustrate the text.

This is an admirable little book, which should be read by all interested
in this subject.

NOTES

Rare Pishes from Creetown, Kirkcudbrightshire. —

Anchovy, Engraulis encrasicholus (L.). — Two of these fishes
were taken on the 30th May and 1st June 1937. They measured
5J and 6 inches respectively. Further, writing on the 19th June,
Mr Birrell informed me that he had taken several more Anchovies
in the eel nets.

The Anchovy is rare in Scottish waters, but has visited the
Solway on previous occasions. In the summer of 1890 it spread
as far north as the Minch. On 27th June of that year some were
taken at Silloth (Macpherson, Fauna of Lakeland , 1892, p. 519).
In January and February 1900, they were again numerous and
several were taken off Annan (Gladstone, Fauna of Dumfriesshire ,
1912, p. 59).

Belted Bonito, Pelamys sarda (Bloch). — A female, measuring
23 inches in length and weighing 5 lbs. 2 oz., was taken on
17th June 1937. The ovaries were well developed and measured
9 inches in length.

This fish is found on both sides of the Atlantic and is abundant
in the Mediterranean and in the tropical waters of the Atlantic.
It has visited Scottish waters only on rare occasions, but has
previously appeared in the Solway. One was taken in the Newbie
Salmon nets, Upper Solway, in 1896. Early in July of this year a
Bonito was reported in the daily press as having been taken off Girvan.

A female Monkfish, Squatina squatina (L.), measuring 4 feet
3! inches, was taken on 17th June.

A male Horse Mackerel, Trachurus trachurus (L.), measuring
13 inches in length was taken on 19th June.

These fishes were kindly presented to the Royal Scottish Museum
by Mr Adam Birrell. — A. C. Stephen, Royal Scottish Museum.

Bottle-nosed Whale in the Forth. — The much-decomposed
carcase of a Bottle-nosed Whale, Hyperoodon rostratus (Muller),
20 feet 9 inches in length, was washed ashore near Longniddry
on 9th August. It had been observed floating about in the Firth
for some days previously and is presumed to have been injured
by a passing vessel. — A. C. Stephen, Royal Scottish Museum,

A Vertebrate Fauna of Forth

By LEONORA JEFFREY RINTOUL and EVELYN V. BAXTER

With x6 full-page illustrations and a map of
the Forth Area. 8vo. 456 pages. 25s. net.

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CONTENTS

PAGR

Isle of May Bird Observatory. Spring Report, 1937 —

Midlothian Ornithological Club . . . .125

Grebes and other Birds at Linlithgow Loch — David Hamilton . 129

Notes on Scottish Cephalopods — A. C. Stephen . . . 131

Recoveries of Gannets from the Bass Rock — H. W. Robinson . 133

The Natural History of the Island of Raasay and of the
Adjacent Isles of South Rona, Scalpay, Longay, and
Fladday ( continued from p. 113) : —

V. The Eriophyidse or Gallmites — J. W. Heslop Harrison . 135

VI. Hymenoptera Symphyta on the Island of Raasay —

Fra?ik Greenshields . . . . .138

Contributions towards a Knowledge of the Scottish Onychiuridcz

(Collembola) II. (concluded) — R. S. B agnail . .145

Book Notices . . . . . . .151

Notes :

Breeding of Great Crested Grebes at Duddingston— David
Hamilton , 134 ; Black-tailed Godwits on the Pentlands —

Tom Spence, 134; Iceland Gull at Musselburgh — D. J.

Molteno , 144; Dotterel near Edinburgh — J. C. IVykes,

144 ; Rare Fishes from Creetown, Kirkcudbrightshire — A.

C. Stephen , 152 ; Bottle-nosed Whale in the Forth — A. C.

Stephen , 152.

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ruling, provided such orders accompany the Manuscript.

EVERY NATURALIST SHOULD READ

The following major articles which have appeared in recent

numbers of The Scottish Naturalist : —

Scottish Insect Immigration Records.

Notes on Highland Diptera. (Illustrated.)

Ferrets and Polecats.

Notes on Whales stranded on the Scottish Coast. (Illustrated.)

Isle of May Bird Observatory.

The Natural History of South Rona. (Illustrated.)

The Occurrence of Oammarus in Scottish Waters.

Notes from Gairloch in Wester Ross.

Scottish Sand-eels.

Further Notes on the Parasites of the Magpie Moth.

Land Planarians of the British Isles.

Lesser Redpoll in Midlothian.

Isle of May Bird Observatory Report.

The Eider in Sutherland and Shetland.

Notes on the Birds of Loch and Forest. (Illustrated.)

Wild and Domestic Cat compared. (Illustrated.)

Kingfishers breeding in Juvenile Plumage.

As well as numerous shorter notices of interesting events in the
Wild Life of Scotland.

Printed and Published in Great Britain by Oliver and Boyd Ltd., Tweeddale Court, Edinburgh
Enter* d as Second Class at the New York, U.S.A. Post Office

( Authors are responsible for nomenclature used.)

The Scottish Naturalist

No. 228] 1937 [November-December

EDITORIAL.

WILDFOWL AND HERON IN OUTER HEBRIDES.

We should like to bring the following appeal by Mr James
W. Campbell before our readers.

“ I am engaged at present on a work dealing with various
aspects of the bird-life of the Outer Hebrides, and am
particularly anxious to obtain information, other than that
already published, on the following : GEESE, DUCKS, and
Waders — Changes in status, habits or haunts; numbers,
relative proportions of sexes and of adults and young ; food
and damage to crops. Heron — Position and details of
heronries and any observations on this species in the
Outer Hebrides.

“ I shall be very grateful if any of your readers who can
help will communicate with me at Layer Marney Hall,
Kelvedon, Essex.”

THE HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS.

We are glad to bring the following request by Mr
H. F. Witherby to the notice of our readers.

“ As many ornithologists are already aware, a new
edition of A Practical Handbook of British Birds has been
for some time in preparation. We should be very grateful
to any of your readers who would now send us notes of
any omissions or errors in the original work, and of any
unpublished observations which would make the work more
accurate and complete. Should secrecy in regard to locality
be necessary this will be rigidly respected.

228

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T

154

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

“ As it is proposed to publish in five volumes at six
monthly intervals beginning next spring, we shall be glad
to have now any notes relating to the Order Passeres. It
would be a convenience if observations concerning breeding-
habits or food were sent direct to the Rev. F. C. R. Jourdain
at Bellevue Road, Southbourne, and all other notes to me
at Gracious Pond Farm, Chobham, Surrey.”

SCOTTISH MARINE BIOLOGY

Two useful papers which should prove of interest to
naturalists have recently been published.

In the Proceedings Royal Society of Edinburgh , vol. xvii.,
part 3, Dr D. S. Raitt has given an account of the bottom-
dwelling amphipods of the north-western North Sea and
adjacent waters. Amphipods are of some economic import-
ance as fish food, especially for the young stages of the cod,
plaice, dabs and skate. They occur in greatest abundance
on the inshore grounds and are less numerous in the deep
central area of the North Sea. The genus Ampelisca
predominates and accounts for almost half of the total
collection. Within this genus zonation of species is well
illustrated.

Dr A. Ritchie has published an account of his work on
the food and feeding habits of the haddock in Scottish waters
( Fishery Board for Scotland , Scientific Investigations , 1937,
No. 11). This contains a large and varied amount of
information with a large series of tables. The principal
feeding season of the haddock is from May to December,
while it is much reduced during the spawning period in the
early part of the year. This reduction is most noticeable in
the larger fish. It is also more apparent in fish from the
deep offshore areas than in fish from the shallower areas
in the south and west of the North Sea. In the deep central
area where growth is poor, feeding is also poor.

ON THE OCCURRENCE OF GAMMARUS 155

■

ON THE OCCURRENCE OF GAMMARUS IN
SCOTTISH COASTAL, BRACKISH AND

INLAND WATERS.

By D. S. Raitt, D.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.S.E., F.L.S., The Marine
Laboratory of the Fishery Board for Scotland, Aberdeen.

There are four species of the Amphipod genus Gammarus
on record as common in Scottish waters. They are
G. locus ta (L.), G. marinus Leach, G. duebeni Lilljeborg,
and G. pulex (L.). The first and second are generally
accepted as inhabiting salt water, the third brackish water,
and the fourth fresh water.

The papers of the late Dr Thomas Scott, formerly of
the scientific staff of the Scottish Fishery Board, and an
acknowledged authority upon the Crustacea of Scottish
waters, contain numerous records of these four Gammarus
species, which, however, appear to have become overlooked
since his time. The explanation probably lies in that they are
spread over some 2 1 separate publications and a period of some
twenty-one years. The writer has therefore endeavoured to
bring them all together and to collate them with more recent
investigations, as a contribution to the ecology of the genus
to be linked with similar data, as available, from other
regions.

Throughout the ten years 1889 to 1898, for example,
Scott conducted an extensive study of the invertebrate fauna
of the inland waters of Scotland. His survey embraced about
125 lochs, ranging from the Shetland Islands to Cantyre and
from the Outer Hebrides to Aberdeenshire, Kinross, and
Linlithgow. A list of his reports thereon is given in the
accompanying bibliography.

In the course of these inland water investigations, he
records the occurrence of the accredited freshwater Gammarus

156

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

species pulex in the following
water category : —

Loch of Lumbister, Yell, Shetland.
Lunga Water, Yell, Shetland.
Muskra Water, Yell, Shetland.
Loch Houllsquey, Northmavine,
Shetland.

Pettidale Water, Northmavine,
Shetland.

Gossa Water, Mainland, Shetland.
Neugles Water, Mainland, Shet-
land.

Setter Loch, Bressay, Shetland.
Loch Henpriggs, Caithness.

Loch Mullach, Corrie, Sutherland.

lochs, all of which are of fresh-

Loch Rescobie, Forfar.

Forfar Loch.

Loch Leven, Kinross.

Raith Loch, Fife.

Camilla Loch, Fife.

Lochgelly Loch, Fife.

Linlithgow Loch, Linlithgow.
Duddingston Loch, Midlothian.
Lakes, Streams, and Ditches of
Basin of R. Forth.

Loch Katrine.

Loch Lomond.

Loch Doon, Ayrshire.

In addition, he records the occurrence of the accredited
brackish water species duebeni in the following lochs, all of
which again are definitely of freshwater category : —

Loch of Fedra, Yell, Shetland.
Loch Snarravoe, Unst, Shetland.
Loch of Belmont, Unst, Shetland.
Loch of Beiton, Unst, Shetland.
Loch of Huxton, Whalsay,
Shetland.

Loch of Livister, Shetland.

Loch of Benigarth, Northmavine,
Shetland.

Loch of Brindister, Mainland,
Shetland.

Loch of Fladdabister, Mainland,
Shetland.

Loch of Tingwell, Mainland,
Shetland.

Sandy Loch, Mainland, Shetland.
Aith Loch, Bressay, Shetland.
Brough Loch, Bressay, Shetland.

Loch of Beosetter, Bressay,

Shetland.

Skipper’s Loch, Bressay, Shetland.
*Loch Mor, Barra, Outer Hebrides.
*Loch na Doirlinn, Outer Hebrides.
Loch Cadna Mor, Outer Hebrides.
Loch an Ail, Outer Hebrides.

Loch Scotageary, Outer Hebrides.
Loch nam Faoileann, Outer

Hebrides.

Loch Scadowa, North Uist.

Loch Skealter, North Uist.

Lochan a Chaite, Perthshire.

Loch Lubnaig, Perthshire.
Achy-Lochy, Cantyre.

Loch Ruan, Cantyre.

Park Loch, Cantyre.

Tangy Loch, Cantyre.

I have failed to find these freshwater records included in
the distribution of duebeni in subsequent literature.

Scott was in no doubt as to his identifications. He

published details of the characters he used in distinguishing
the two species (Scott and Duthie, 1894-1895, 14, p. 240), and
with regard to his specimens of duebeni from Loch Ruan, near
Campbeltown, Cantyre, he writes : “ Loch Ruan is situated
several hundred feet above sea-level and part of the town
of Campbeltown obtains its supply of water from this loch;
the occurrence of G. duebeni in it is therefore of interest,

* Since shown to be slightly brackish. See Forrest and others, 1936.

ON THE OCCURRENCE OF GAMMARUS

157

as it tends to show that this Amphipod although sometimes
observed in brackish water is not limited to such conditions ”
(1890-1897, 15, p. 322).

In no case did he find pulex and duebeni in one and the
same loch, although they occurred in the same district His
papers on material other than from fresh water contain no
further records of pulex\ but he has also recorded duebeni from
brackish pools at the mouth of the River Don, Aberdeenshire
(1900, p. 263), from three brackish water localities in the
Firth of Forth, the mouth of the Cocklemill Burn, Largo Bay,
pools at Luffness, near Aberlady, and pools on the Isle of
May (1906, pp. 163 and 379).

He has placed G. marinus on record from brackish water,
east Loch Tarbert, Loch Fyne (1896, p. 140), from off Loch
Buy, Mull (1896#, p. 185), and between tide-marks on the
Dalmeny shore, Firth of Forth (1906, p. 162). He states
that it is generally but sparingly distributed throughout the
Forth estuary.

His records of G. locusta include specimens from Loch
Spelve, Mull, and Loch Linnhe (1896#, p. 185), Loch Fyne
(1896, p. 140, and 1908, p. 98), the Firth of Clyde (1890-1897,
15, P- 317, and 1905, p. 796), and the Firth of Forth (1887,
p. 248, and 1906, p. 162), as well as from the stomachs of a
number of marine fishes (1901, p. 492). In the Forth he
found it common in the littoral zone and among decaying
seaweed near high-water mark, while near Dumbarton, in the
Firth of Clyde, it was very common in brackish pools at
the roots of the dense vegetation on the shore to the west
of the town.

More recently there has been published, by Elmhirst,
1935, an account of the occurrence of Gammarus species in
the Clyde area, together with the results of an experiment
in the introduction of fresh water into flasks containing
locusta , marinus , and duebeni. He gives locusta as occurring
from depths of about ten fathoms to low-water mark,
marinus from low-water mark to high-water neaps, and
duebeni from high-water neaps into the brackish water area
about high-water springs. Under experimental conditions
locusta showed no tendency to enter fresh water ; marinus ,

158

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

while usually reacting negatively, did so more slowly, some-
times tending to linger in contact with the diffusion layer;
duebeni , on the other hand, definitely sought fresh water.

Elmhirst further observes that the freshwater Gammarus
of the south-west of Scotland resemble duebeni in several
characters. After sending specimens to Sexton, Plymouth,
however, it was “decided in correspondence that they ought
to be called G. pulex , although approaching G. duebeni in
(i) size and shape of eye, (2) general hairiness, (3) spinulation
of the dorsal part of the urosome, and (4) spinulation of the
telson.”

Nicol, 1936, dealing with the brackish water lochs of
North Uist, provides further records. The waters investigated
included all intermediate conditions between lochs entered by
every tide and having a salinity of over 30 per cent., and
those entered only by the highest spring tides with a salinity
of 2 or 3 per cent. The fauna encountered included
59 marine, 24 fresh, and 25 brackish water species, as well
as 5 euryhaline forms, such as the salmon, which are equally
at home in any salinity. Only two species of Gammarus
were found. They were marinus and duebeni. The latter
was by far the more common and occurred in waters over the
whole of the wide salinity range. The species marinus was
found only at locations characterised by high salinities.

Similar results have also been obtained by an Edinburgh
University expedition studying the natural history of
Barra (Forrest, Waterston, and Watson, 1936). Although
gammarids were collected from most of the lochs and from
some of the streams of the island, G. pulex was not
encountered, “ its place being taken by G. duebeni which
occurred in all suitable habitats from shore pools to the
farthest inland lochs.” The species locusta and marinus
were encountered on the coast. The identifications were
made for the expedition by Elmhirst, whose publication on
the Gammarus of the Clyde area has already been cited.

The writer has recently concluded a systematic and
ecological study of the benthic Amphipoda of the north-
western North Sea and adjacent waters, based upon material
collected by Petersen Bottom Sampler and from haddock

ON THE OCCURRENCE OF GAMMARUS

159

stomachs. The investigation covered in the main the open
waters of the area, but also extended into the shallows of
the coastal zone. It did not embrace intertidal or brackish
waters. The only Gammarus species taken was locus ta.
It was met with at only three locations, one off Aberdeen
at a depth of 26 m., one off the Moray Firth at a depth of
145 m., and one off the west coast of Denmark at a depth
of 54 m. From its quantitative representation in the
Bottom Sampler material it is to be regarded as amongst
the least common of the Amphipod species of the habitat
surveyed. It has occurred, however, in material from
certain supplementary sources. The writer has identified
specimens from Loch Indale, Islay, from the entrance to
the Caledonian Canal, and from a number of locations
on the north-east coastline of Scotland.

From the entrance to Aberdeen harbour, moreover, large
collections of both marinus and duebeni have repeatedly
been made. Within the pier-heads, amongst stones and
Enteromorpha on the tidal bed of the River Dee, these two
species occur side by side. Both appear to be capable of
living in wide extremities of salinities. For a period of over
seven months, for example, they were kept in sea water
under laboratory conditions. The sea water was taken from
three miles off Aberdeen. Both thrived and bred. Both
have also been successfully transferred to fresh water drawn
from the ordinary household supply to the town of
Aberdeen.

I have also examined the whole of the Scott collection
of Amphipoda in the possession of the Fishery Board for
Scotland, including several specimens of the four Gammarus
species under consideration. I have compared Scott’s
specimens of duebeni from fresh water with my own material
of the same species from estuarine conditions and I am
thoroughly satisfied as to their respective identifications.
The systematic works consulted as to the morphological
characteristics of the different species were Chevreux and
Fage (1925), Sars (1895), Stebbing (1906), and Stephensen
(1929).

Scott, then, has recorded both G. pulex and G. duebeni

i6o

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

from Scottish freshwater lochs, but his records appear to
have become overlooked. I have examined both Scott’s
material and specimens of duebeni from estuarine conditions
such as are regarded as the normal habitat of the species
and I am satisfied as to the respective identifications. The
records from North Uist and from Barra provide complete
confirmation as to the wide range of salinity in which duebeni
may be found, and similarly with those of Elmhirst from the
Clyde area.

The species Gammarus duebeni Lilljeborg must accordingly
be accepted as a normal inhabitant of the fresh waters of
Scotland, as well as G. pulex , and as ranging in its distribution
through all degrees of salinity to estuarine and coastal
conditions.

The Scottish records of G. pulex are confined to fresh
water, and it may further be observed, from Scott’s fresh-
water investigations, that pulex would seem to occur further
inland than duebeni , the latter having been encountered
chiefly in the Shetlands, the Outer Hebrides, and
Cantyre.

In Scottish waters, G. marinus has been found only in
intertidal and estuarine locations, and G. locusta from inter-
tidal and estuarine to open sea conditions.

The occurrence of these four species of the genus, in the
Scottish area, may therefore be said to present the picture
of a series of overlapping distributions, species to species,
from the open sea, through intermediate environmental
conditions, into the fresh waters of inland lochs.

So far there appear to be no Scottish records of the two
remaining brackish water species of Gammarus of northern
Europe, G. chevreuxi Sexton and G. zaddachi Sexton.
The remaining marine species of the North Sea region,
G. cambylops Leach, is listed by Stebbing, 1906, from Arran
and Shetland, and, it is understood, is also being found by
Elmhirst on the Ayrshire coast.

LITERATURE REFERENCES.

CHEVREUX, E., and FAGE, L. 1925. “ Amphipodes,” Faune de France , vol. ix.

Elmhirst, R. 1935. “The Occurrence of Gammarus in Scottish Waters,” The

Scottish Naturalist , No. 211, p. 17.

ON THE OCCURRENCE OF GAMMARUS

161

Forrest, J. E., Waterston, A. R., and Watson, E. V. 1936. “The Natural
History of Barra, Outer Hebrides. The Results of a Scientific Expedition
organised by the Biological Society of the University of Edinburgh, 1st to
14th July 1935,” Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc. Edin., vol. xxii., p. 241.

NlCOL, E. A. T. 1936. “ The Brackish Water Lochs of North Uist,” Proc. Roy.

Soc. Edin., vol. lvi., pt. 2, p. 169.

SARS, G. O. 1895. An Account of the Crustacea of Norway, vol. i.

SCOTT, T. 1887. “A Revised List of the Crustacea of the Firth of Forth,”
Reft. Fish. Bd. Scot., 6, p. 235.

SCOTT, T. 1889. “The Invertebrate Fauna of Inland Waters. Report on Loch
Coulter and the Coulter Burn, Stirlingshire,” Rept. Fish. Bd. Scot., 8, p. 334.

SCOTT, T. 1890-1897. “The Invertebrate Fauna of the Inland Waters of
Scotland,” Rept. Fish. Bd. Scot., 9, p. 269; 11, p. 220; 12, p. 284;
13, p. 237; 14, p. 157; 15, p. 316; and 16, p. 248.

SCOTT, T. 1896. “The Marine Fishes and Invertebrates of Loch Fyne,” Rept.
Fish. Bd. Scot., 15, p. 107.

SCOTT, T. 1896a. “Report on a Collection of Marine Dredgings and Other
Natural History Materials made on the West Coast of Scotland by the late
George Brook, F.L.S.,” Proc. Roy. Soc. Edin., vol. xiii., p. 166.

SCOTT, T. 1898. “The Invertebrate Fauna of the Inland Waters of Scotland.
Report on Special Investigations,” Rept. Fish. Bd. Scot., 17, p. 132.

SCOTT, T. 1900. “Notes on Gatherings of Crustacea, collected for the most
part by the Fishery Steamer Garland and the Steam Trawler St Andrew
of Aberdeen and examined during the year 1900,” Rept. Fish. Bd. Scot., 19,
p- 235.

SCOTT, T. 1901. “Observations on the Food of Fishes,” Rept. Fish. Bd. Scot.,
20, p. 486.

SCOTT, T. 1905. “A Report on the Free-Swimming Crustacea found in the
Firth of Clyde, 1901-1902,” Proc. Roy. Soc. Edin., vol. xxv., pt. 9, p. 792.

SCOTT, T. 1906. “A Catalogue of Land, Fresh-Water, and Marine Crustacea
found in the Basin of the River Forth and its Estuary,” Proc. Roy. Phys. Soc.
Edin., vol. xvi., p. 97.

SCOTT, T. 1908. “Notes on the Distribution of Pelagic Crustacea in Lower and
Upper Loch Fyne,” Rept. Fish. Bd. Scot., 27, p. 74.

SCOTT, T., and Duthie, R. 1894-1895. “The Inland Waters of the Shetland
Islands,” Rept. Fish. Bd. Scot., 13, p. 174, and 14, p. 229.

SCOTT, T., and Duthie, R. 1896-1897. “An Account of the Examination of
some of the Lochs of Shetland,” Rept. Fish. Bd. Scot., 1 5, p. 327, and 16, p. 253.

STEBBING, T. R. R. 1906. “Amphipoda. I. Gammaridea,” Das Tierreich,
vol. xxi.

STEPHENSEN, K. 1929. “Amphipoda,” Die Tierwelt der Nord-und Ostsee, Lief,
xiv., Teil x./

Whooper Swan and Black-necked Grebes at Loch
Dochart. — On 16th September 1937 at Loch Dochart, West
Perthshire, I saw a Whooper Swan. This is an unusual date to
see this species.

Two Black-necked Grebes were also present on the 16th,
evidently on migration, as they were gone two days later. — D. I.
Molteno, Loretto.

228

u

162

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

Dumfriesshire Hemiptera-Heteroptera. — The only repre-
sentative of the Berytidse I have met with is Berytus minor H.S.
and then only a single specimen. It was found at the roots of
rushes on Newton Moss in April. The Lygaeidae are better repre-
sented. Stygnocoris pedestris Fall, is common in moss and about
the roots of heather. Trapezonotus arenarius L., scarce, taken on
Nutberry Moss by sweeping in October. Drymus sylvaticus Fab.,
common in moss, particularly in spring, and generally distributed.
D. brunneus Sahib, also abundant. D. piceus Flor, a rare species.
About half a dozen specimens taken at various times in autumn
from wet Sphagnum on Newton Moss. Scolopostethus affinis Schill.,
scarce, at Browhouses in September from ragwort. S. thomsoni
Reut., plentiful by sweeping nettles, etc. I have met with it in
nearly every month of the year but always brachypterous. S.
decoratus Hahn, abundant on heather and generally macropterous.
Gastrodes ferrugineus L., local but not rare on coniferous trees.
Newton and Nutberry Mosses in spring and autumn. Three species
of Tingididae have occurred. Acalypta parvula Fall., rare or over-
looked, by sifting moss, etc. Derephysia foliacea Fall., local but
hardly rare. All my specimens came from young ash trees. Tingis
cardui L., locally abundant on thistles. — Jas. Murray, Gretna.

Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk Moth (Hsemorrhagia
tityus (L.)) in Mid-Perth. — Although it cannot be called rare,
this attractive Hawk Moth is not met with every day and it may be
of interest to record that I found it in Mid-Perth this summer.
Two were seen in Glen Lochay on 14th June haunting a sunny
space surrounded by young birch trees. They flew low over the
short turf in a bewilderingly elusive manner, disappearing suddenly
to reappear as suddenly hovering over some small flower or fallen
log. — C. Ethel Evans, Edinburgh.

Death’s Head Hawk Moth (Acherontia atropos (L.)) in
Argyll. — Mr Leonard T. Toms of Netherhall, Largs, lately forwarded
to me a female of this notorious immigrant which he found in a
bee-hive at Kilberry, Knapdale, Argyll, in October 1937. I know
of no other occurrence of this species in Scotland during 1937. —
A. R. Waterston, B.Sc., Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh.

Mottled Hairworm ( Gordius viUoti( Rosa)) in Edinburgh.

— A fine male, 19 cm. in length, which came down a tap in a house
in Edinburgh was sent to the museum by Miss C. E. Rutherford,
30 Newbattle Terrace, on 7th September. In 1914 Evans collected
many specimens in the river Tyne at Ormiston, Haddingtonshire,
but none has been recorded from the Forth Area since that year.
— A. R. Waterston, B.Sc., Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh.

KNAPDALE I A SUMMER SURVEY

163

KNAPDALE: A SUMMER SURVEY.

By W. M. M. Chapman and B. W. Tucker, M.B.O.U.

In the summer of 1935 Mr W. B. Alexander, with two
members of the Oxford Ornithological Society, paid a visit
to Knapdale, and subsequently to the Rev. J. M. McWilliam
(author of The Birds of Bute and The Birds of the Clyde), who
pointed out to him that this area had never been properly
worked. Accordingly in the following summer Mr B. W.
Tucker organised a survey of Knapdale by the Oxford
Ornithological Society from Lochgilphead. This paper is
based on the notes of a party of ten who stayed there from
June 4th to 9th (under Mr Alexander’s direction), of a
party of seven who stayed from June 10th to 17th (under
Mr Tucker’s direction), and of the Rev. J. M. McWilliam,
who stayed at Tayvallich from May 19th to 21st and at
Barnluasgan Farm from June 8th to 26th, and supplied most
of the information about the Tayvallich peninsula. The
collator revisited Knapdale, to check up on two points, on
June 28th 1937.

The method adopted was to drive round the coast paying
special attention to islets, and to walk over the moors to
all fresh-water lochs ; eighty lochs were visited and a fair
idea of the country was obtained. A drought prevailed.

The lower parts of Knapdale are in a fairly advanced
state of cultivation ; ploughed fields are fairly common and the
pasture and hay are good. A narrow belt of woods, for the
most part natural, fringes the coast for about half its length.
The greater part of the area consists, however, of very broken
moorland, rising steeply to 500 feet, but seldom more than
1200 feet high. It is ill-drained, with just over a hundred
small lochs of an average altitude of 675 feet. The vegetation
is mostly coarse grass, with a good deal of heather and
rather more bracken.

In general, Knapdale is not ornithologically rich ; the
common moor birds — Grouse, Lapwing, Meadow Pipit,
Kestrel — are generally, but thinly, distributed. Only Curlew

164

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

and Common Sandpiper are common. The common water
birds — Mallard, Teal, Common Gull — are fairly numerous
on the large lochs grouped in the north-west, and on two
large lochs in South Knapdale, but otherwise very scarce.
On the other hand, the Divers can presumably find food
in any of the lochs. The lower wooded country west and
north of Loch Sween is much richer than the rest of the
area, not only in passerine birds (Reed Bunting, Tree Pipit,
Grey Wagtail, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Wheatear, Sand
Martin), and water birds (Snipe, Woodcock, Land Rail,
Moorhen), but even in large birds (Nightjar, Barn and Tawny
Owls, Buzzard).

The affinities of Knapdale with the mainland (as opposed
to the S. Inner Hebrides) seem to be: —

(1) The presence or comparative commonness of Yellow-

hammer, Redstart, Blue Tit, Martin, Sand Martin,

Greater Spotted Woodpecker and Barn Owl ;

(2) the absence of Chough, Tree Sparrow, Fulmar, Little

Tern, Arctic Skua, Puffin, Shoveller, Greylag, Storm

Petrel and Manx Shearwater ; and

(3) the fact that Cormorant, Gannet, and Lesser Black-

back, though present, were not breeding.

The affinities of Knapdale with the S. Inner Hebrides
(as opposed to the mainland) seem to be : — -

(1) The presence or comparative commonness of Hooded

Crow, Black- and Red-throated Divers ;

(2) the absence or comparative scarcity of Carrion Crow,

Magpie, Garden and Grasshopper Warblers, Swift

and Stockdove ; and

(3) the large amount of black on the throat of Golden

Plover.

Noteworthy species typical of the West Coast were: —
Twite, Rock Dove, Black Guillemot ; relatively common
species : Raven, Lesser Redpoll, Whin- and Stone-chat,
Wood and Willow Warblers, Peregrine; relatively scarce
ones: Grey Wagtail (except near Tayvallich) and Wheatear.

KNAPDALE : A SUMMER SURVEY

165

The writers’ obligations to the Handlist of Miss Baxter
and Miss Rintoul and to Mr McWilliam’s Birds of the Clyde
are obvious.

SPECIFIC LIST.

Note. — Words like “abundant” and “scattered” which refer ambiguously
to the numbers in which a species is present and to the generality of its dis-
tribution, have been avoided. Unless otherwise described, a species is to be
taken to be evenly distributed in typical country. Words in the scale “very
common,” “ numerous,” “common,” “fairly common,” “scarce,” are relative to the
normal numbers of a species , not, unless this is indicated, to the comparative
numbers of species in Knapdale. Thus Raven is described as “ common,” Rook
as “fairly common ” ; there were more Rooks.

Raven, common, breeding.

Hooded Crow (but ? hybrid), several, one family party, seen round
L. Caolisport.

[Carrion Crow, ? seen by Lochgilphead.]

ROOK, fairly common.

Jackdaw, numerous breeding colony on S.E. cliffs, and roost at
Barnluasgan.

Jay, three seen.

Starling, only fairly common, small flocks of young birds.
Greenfinch, common.

Twite, breeding, c. six (in all) pairs found at three points on W.
coast (Ruadh Sgeir, P. of Knap, Kilberry) ; the typical horn-yellow
bill was conspicuous.

Lesser Redpoll, very common, ubiquitous up to 1000 feet.

Linnet, one pair seen near Tayvallich.

Bullfinch, several seen.

Chaffinch, common.

House Sparrow, common.

Yellowhammer, common throughout Knapdale.

Reed Bunting, fairly common on Crinan Canal and in other suitable
places.

Skylark, surprisingly common, especially on all lower ground.

Tree Pipit, numerous in Tayvallich peninsula, one or two at head of
L. Caolisport, not elsewhere.

Meadow Pipit, fairly common all over moors.

Rock Pipit, common on coast, one or two on moors.

Grey Wagtail, common in Tayvallich peninsula, scarce elsewhere.

Pied Wagtail, common.

Tree Creeper, seen, singly or a pair, three or four times ; probably
common.

Great Tit, common.

Blue Tit, common.

Cole Tit, common, the most numerous Tit.

Long-tailed Tit, one pair and one small party seen.

Goldcrest, seen twice.

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

1 66

Willow Wren, very common.

Wood Wren, numerous.

Sedge Warbler, as Reed-Bunting.

Whitethroat, common in Tayvallich peninsula, fairly common
elsewhere.

Missel Thrush, only fairly common.

Song Thrush, common.

Blackbird, common.

Ring Ouzel, seen once.

Wheatear, fairly common in Tayvallich peninsula, scarce elsewhere.
Whinchat, common on moors, at lower altitudes ; in bracken, bog-
myrtle and alders rather than heather ; more numerous than
Meadow Pipit.

Stonechat, as Whinchat, about half as numerous.

Redstart, fairly common.

Robin, common.

Dunnock, only fairly common.

Wren, numerous.

Dipper, common ; on most, though not all, suitable burns.

Swallow, common.

Martin, fairly common, scattered.

Sand Martin, colony of c. twenty pairs on Crinan Canal.

Swift, seen once or twice ; one pair about the eaves of a house near
Lochgilphead not proved to be nesting.

Nightjar, one churring in Carndubh Burn (N. Knapdale) at 500 feet.
Greater Spotted Woodpecker, seen or heard half a dozen times.
Cuckoo, common, young seen.

Tawny Owl, heard all over Tayvallich peninsula, not elsewhere.

Barn Owl, one hunting by Nightjar, q. cf.

Peregrine, two eyries seen. ? three pairs. One eyrie certainly used
again in 1937.

Merlin, one, mature <$, seen on shore.

Kestrel, common, or fairly common.

Common Buzzard, apparently a family near Tayvallich ; seen once in
S. Knapdale.

Sparrow Hawk, seen once.

Heron, said to breed on island in L. Sween, fairly common on coast,
once on a loch at 1200 feet.

Mute Swan, fifty at head of West L. Tarbet.

Sheld Duck, numerous with broods round coast.

Mallard, breeding on streams and twenty-four lochs, chiefly in north ;

parties up to fifty in sea-lochs.

Teal, uncommon, distribution as last species.

Eider, common on coast ; occasional, once with brood, on inland lochs.
Red-breasted Merganser, numerous with young on sea-lochs.
Cormorant, young birds seen singly on sea.

Shag, fairly common.

Gannet, seen off-shore once.

KNAPDALE : A SUMMER SURVEY

167

Dabchick, found on three lochs in north, breeding.

Black-throated Diver : one pair seen several times inland, one pair
seen once inland and several times on the sea, and one odd bird
seen. At least the first pair was probably only prevented from
breeding by the drought. A pair was seen in the same place in
1937 ; a keeper reports that they habitually breed there and that
the nest has been found in recent years.

Red-throated Diver, at least five pairs found breeding, one more
seen on L. Fyne.

Wood Pigeon, only fairly common.

Stock Dove, seen once.

Rock Dove, small breeding colony at Kilberry H., not elsewhere.

Oyster Catcher, found or presumed breeding on several lochs ;
common on shore with young.

Ringed Plover, one or two pairs on every occasional patch of sandy
beach.

Golden Plover, a few (c. ten) pairs breeding ; the large amount of
black on the throat was striking.

Lapwing, common.

Dunlin, three pairs found on the moors and one party of eight on the
shore.

Common Sandpiper, very common ; breeding up to six pairs on almost
all lochs ; numbers on the shore.

Redshank, uncommon on shore ; one seen on moors.

Bar-tailed Godwit, two seen on L. Caolisport, one in very red
summer plumage.

Curlew, numerous, on moors and shore.

Common Snipe, breeding commonly on lower ground, a few on the
moors.

WOODCOCK, very common round head of L. Sween ; seen twice in
south.

Common Tern, fair-sized breeding colonies on Ruadh Sgeir and
Eilean Fada and small ones on most, or many, of the islets in
LI. Sween and Caolisport ; a few pairs on the largest fresh-water
loch in both N. and S. Knapdale.

Arctic Tern, same distribution as last species but less numerous, not
certainly breeding inland.

Black-headed Gull, common round coast ; thirty pairs on L. nan
Torran, fifteen on Lochan Eun and one odd pair on another inland
loch.

Common Gull, common ; four colonies of ten to twenty-five pairs and
a few pairs on eight other lochs.

Herring Gull, two pairs on Cam L., a party of thirty to forty on
L. Fyne ; common.

Lesser Blackback, a few seen.

Greater Blackback, fairly common, breeds on islets in sea-lochs.

Razorbill, occasional off-shore.

Guillemot, a few breeding on south-west cliffs.

i68

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

Black Guillemot, breeding in colonies up to ten pairs on at least five
islets in L. Sween and L. Caolisport ; parties up to twenty seen.
Land Rail, common round L. Sween head and along Crinan Canal ;
not elsewhere.

Moorhen, breeding on canal, three lochs in N. Knapdale and one at
extreme south.

Black Grouse, common.

Red Grouse, fairly common.

Pheasant, fairly common.

NOTES

Notes from Possil Marsh, Glasgow. — This year a greater
number of Shovellers (5 or 6 pairs) than usual frequented Possil
Marsh. Towards the end of April I noticed that they were beginning
to pair and by 8th May numbers were reduced to three pairs. On
13th only two pairs remained and these were in very sportive mood.
I lost sight of them till the 2nd June when one male was noted.
I saw him frequently afterwards — alone. On 21st June a pair was
seen on the water accompanied by five young birds. I saw them
up till 4th August (but have not been there since). After the first
few days on the open water they seemed to confine themselves more
to the Marsh vegetation amongst the swamp. This is the first time,
to my knowledge, that they have nested at the Marsh. Tufted
Ducks were also more numerous — an interesting result. On 15th
June three broods — 10, 8, 8 — observed.

Since the spring I have been in the habit of visiting the Marsh
every few days. The results of nestings has far exceeded my
expectations in spite of the colony of Black-headed Gulls. —
William Rennie, Glasgow.

Greenland Wheatear in Renfrewshire. — A Greenland

Wheatear ( (Enanthe cenanthe leucorrhoa) was obtained near Balgray
Dam, East Renfrewshire, on 10th September 1937, by Mr Robert
L. Brown.

The specimen, a male in first winter plumage, has a wing
measurement of 102 mm. and is now in my collection. — Philip
A. Clancey, M.B.O.U.

Black Terns at Aberlady. — On 10th September 1937, at
Aberlady Bay, I observed two immature Black Terns among a large
flock of Common and Sandwich Terns.

In comparison with last year, migrant waders were poorly
represented; no doubt this was caused by the contrary winds which
had been prevailing for some time. — D. I. Molteno, Loretto.

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ISLAND OF RAASAY 169

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ISLAND OF
RAASAY AND OF THE ADJACENT ISLES
OF SOUTH RONA, SCALPAY, LONGAY, AND
FLADDAY.

(i Continued from ft. 144.)

VII. THE VARIATION OF THE LEPIDOPTEROUS
GENUS TRIPH^ENA IN RAASAY, SOUTH RONA,
AND SCALPAY, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO
T. IANTHINA ESP.

By J. W. Heslop Harrison, D.Sc., F.R.S.

In discussing the species Triphcena ianthina Esp., Tutt
{British Noctuce , vol. ii., p. 91) writes as follows: — “This
species varies but little in any direction. There are two
distinct forms in colour, one purplish, the other reddish-
brown ; otherwise there appears to be no variation worth
noticing.” These remarks he supplements by directing
attention to similar views held by Newman {British Moths ,
p. 338). Of their general accuracy in respect to the bulk
of the British range of T. ianthina there can be little doubt,
but such is far from holding true in the island group
comprising Raasay, South Rona, and Scalpay. There, like
its congener T. comes, the species reveals itself as capable
of a wide spread of variation. To indicate the course of
this variation, as well as to list the island varieties of
Triphcena comes , T. orbona and T. pronuba , is the purpose
of the present paper.

I. Triphcena ianthina Esp.

The Type Form. — It is obvious from Esper’s original
description and from Tutt’s account of the type specimen,
that the latter insect in the area between the outer line and
the base of the forewings, except for the costal blotches,
is tinted with green. As Tutt realised, specimens so coloured
are rarely met with in the British Islands. In spite of this,
in Raasay they form nearly 5 per cent, of the ianthina

population.

228

x

i7o

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

Var. purpurascens mihi. — Contrary to the indications of
his knowledge that the greenish insect was the type of
Esper, Tutt persisted in regarding the purplish form as
such. Clearly such a position is untenable, and, in view of
the abundance of purplish varieties, the name purpurascens
is suggested for them. They may be taken throughout the
British Islands, including South Rona, Raasay, and Scalpay,
wherever the species occurs.

Var. rufa Tutt. — Also noted commonly in the islands.

Var. peacocki mihi. — Although black and blackish forms
of T. conies are distributed very generally in North and
West Scotland, melanic varieties of T. ianthina have not
hitherto been reported. However, blackish insects, not so
extreme as those belonging to the allied species, were
captured at various points on Raasay. In these examples,
the thorax and abdomen are black above, whilst the upper
wings have a blackish ground colour. This, nevertheless,
exhibits the usual grey irrorations and markings observed in
the more abundant red and purplish specimens. The variety
is named peacocki after my friend Prof. A. D. Peacock.

It ought to be found well scattered over the Scottish
Highlands and Islands.

Var. subrosea mihi. — This insect presents a really
magnificent appearance when fresh. It possesses a ground
colour of a pinkish grey, sprinkled with blackish scales. The
outer line is distinct, whilst the space between it and the
usual position of the central shade stands out as a darkish
band, lightly suffused with rosy-grey scales. The orbicular
and reniform are both obsolete, but the submarginal line
and the dull red costal patch are both present. The veins,
especially vein I and those of the cell, tend to be outlined
in black. The hindwings are normal. This form is scarce
on Raasay.

Var. plusioides mihi. — In this insect the reniform and
orbicular are well marked and filled in, except where the
latter merges into the costal grey suffusion. Its general
appearance recalls that of many British Plusias, from which
fact the name is derived. Taken in the Inverarish area,
Raasay.

THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ISLAND OF RAASAY 171

Var. virgata mihi. — Median area exhibiting a black
band ; on all three islands.

Var. ronensis mihi. — In this variety the space between
the submarginal and the outer lines, except for the reddish
costal blotch, is filled in with grey. It was captured in all
three islands, but more freely in Rona — hence its name.

II. Triphcena comes Hb.

The Type. — Insects of the type facies, and others
approaching them, abound at sugar on Scalpay, but are
much less common on the other two islands.

Var. adsequa Tr. — On every island.

Var .pallida Tutt. — This form has been bred from Raasay
ova quite recently.

Var. grisea Tutt. — Quite common, Raasay, South Rona,
and Scalpay.

Var. rufo-grisea Tutt. — With the preceding.

Var. consequa Tutt. — Also bred from Raasay ova.

Var. rufescens Tutt. — Captured commonly enough on
Raasay and Rona, and bred in some numbers from ova
obtained from Raasay females.

Var. rufa Tutt. — Common on Rona and Raasay, but
absent from Scalpay.

Var. curtisii Newm. — Abundant on Rona and Raasay.

Var. nigrescens Tutt. — In my opinion this so-called variety
is a composite, including within its limits a form evolved
from var. grisea and a second from var. rufa. It should
be noted that breeding experiments have demonstrated that
in inheritance this form is epistatic to, not dominant over,
the type.

Var. lineata mihi. — Entirely black except for clearly
marked outer and submarginal lines ; a few bred from
Raasay ova.

III. Triphcena orbona Hufn.

The Type. — A single specimen of this exceedingly rare
insect was bred from a larva swept from mixed low plants on
the Inverarish-Holoman road, Raasay.

IV. Triphcena pronuba L.

The Type. — Like all the varieties of this species, usually

172

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

so abundant in most localities, the type was very far from
being so plentiful as T. comes and T. ianthina on these
islands ; nevertheless, it was seen on all, rarely at sugar and
more commonly at ragwort flowers. In addition, ova were
found encircling grass stalks, and larvae taken from Rumex ,
Primula , Calluna , etc., from which many forms including the
type were bred.

Var. ochrea Tutt. — Not plentiful.

Var. ochrea-innuba Tutt. — A little less rare.

Var. brunnea Tutt. — Sparingly; a teratological example
of this variety was boxed from ragwort near Suisnish ;
it exhibited strange indentations and prolongations of various
veins of the forewings.

Var. innuba Tr. — Taken singly at sugar on Scalpay.

( To be continued )

NOTES

Young* Gannets with Malformed Beaks. — Two young
Gannets on the Bass Rock this year had crossed mandibles like
those of a Crossbill. They were well fed and in good condition,
but how they will get on when it comes to fending for themselves
remains to be seen. They were marked with rings numbered
120908 and 120909 and curiously enough were close together.
There is no previous record of such malformed beaks on young
Gannets, as far as I can learn.

Gannets were nesting much nearer the top of the Rock than in
previous years, and 200 young were marked with rings as compared
with 80 last year. — H. W. Robinson, Lancaster.

First Fulmar Petrel to Hatch on the Bass Rock. — Last
year one pair of Fulmars on the Bass produced an egg which,
however, disappeared. This year two pairs laid, one egg dis-
appearing, probably destroyed by the big gulls that frequent the
Rock. The other egg hatched out, probably on 9th July, as the
egg was well chipped that morning and probably hatched out later
in the day. This is the first record of a Fulmar Petrel hatching out
on the Bass. Curiously enough, with a pair under observation
in Orkney last year, the chick also hatched out on 9th July. —
H. W. Robinson, Lancaster.

NOTES

73

Basking Shark at Alloa. — A Basking Shark, Cetorhinus
maximus (Gunner), was caught in the salmon nets on the Forth
at Langcarse, rather more than a mile west of Alloa on 30th August
1937. It was a young male, measuring from the tip of the snout to
the end of the tail twelve feet seven and a half inches. The gill
rakers, which in an adult may attain a length of five to six inches,
measured two and three quarter inches. It seemed quite normal
in most characteristics except for the snout, which possessed at its
upper termination a protuberance resembling in shape a small
rhinoceros horn, quite unlike the streamline profile of the Basking
Shark’s snout figured in most text-books. — Margery I. Platt,
Royal Scottish Museum.

Notes from North XJist. — The Terns arrived on 2nd May,
and on the same date a Ringed Plover’s nest with a clutch of
four eggs was found. The Terns are almost a week later than last
year in their arrival. The first Corncrake was seen on 4th inst.
running among the trellises on the drive. A Humble Bee was
noted on 5th.

On 8th May quite a number of things were noted. First I found
a Black-headed Gull’s nest with three eggs on a small tidal island
measuring only about two acres. On this same islet a profusion of
wild violets and primroses were in evidence, and a single Little Stint
was noted. Last year this little wader was observed in almost the
exact locality and just one day later. Eiders are moving from the
shore to the hill where they have now of recent years decided to
nest. Formerly they preferred to have their sites nearer the shore.

A Twite has nested again in a Veronica bush outside the drawing-
room window; the first egg was laid on 16th May and to-day it has
five eggs. Last year when this number had been attained a storm
blew up and threw the nest and eggs out of the bush — the eggs
were smashed. On the whole nesting is later than last year. The
Swallow has not made its appearance yet, nor have I seen any
Sand Martins. Numbers of Common Sandpipers “trill” along
the shores of the freshwater lochs and Corncrakes are quite
as numerous as in former years. A Hen Harrier was seen on
22nd May close to the farm steading. After three days of much
needed rain the afternoon of 23rd May became bright and warm.
On this date the first nest of the Common Snipe with four eggs was
found in a marsh. The bird was sitting so close that when she
rose she actually brushed against my shoe. In the same marsh
several Black-headed Gulls’ and Green Plovers’ nests all containing
eggs were noted, and an Oyster Catcher’s nest with three eggs was

174

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

discovered near the shore. At present a number of Whimbrel or
May Fowl are to be seen ; but they do not breed here, though I am
told that they do so in North Rona, Isle of Lewis.

On 23rd May a Great Skua was seen flying in a westerly
direction ; it passed quite low and could not be mistaken. This is
the second example only that I have seen, the first being over ten
years ago. The Twite’s nest which met with disaster last year has
again been harried by the wind, but so far only two of the five eggs
have been blown out of the nest and smashed. On 1st June the
remaining eggs were found broken lying on the ground below
the nest.

A Great Black-backed Gull’s nest with three eggs, one of them
light green in colour, was found on an island close to a house
situated on the shore. It is seldom the Black-backed Gull lays so
near habitation. There is a loch named Scadavy on which there
are exactly 365 small islands, and this is where they take up their
breeding quarters and it is unusual to find them outside this locality.
A flock of fifty Bar-tailed Godwits is still here and Common Gulls
and Black-headed Gulls as well as Oyster Catchers are nesting freely.
A Merganser’s nest with seven eggs was found on the shore of a
freshwater loch on 27th May.

A single Shoveller was seen on 16th July on the small loch on
Heisker Island, North Uist.

On 22nd July a Crossbill was seen sitting on the marsh fence
between Griminish and Scolpaig, close to the main road. It was
quite tame and let one quite close to it. The first I saw here was
also at Scolpaig on nth July 1916. — George Beveridge, Vallay,
N. Uist.

Peacock Butterflies on Islay. — On 9th September we saw
a Peacock butterfly sunning itself on a rock above Port Ellen.
Another was seen by us near Bridgend on the nth, and we were
told of yet another being seen near Port Askaig the day before.
The two seen by us were in perfect condition. We also saw a
Red Admiral on 10th September. — Leonora Jeffrey Rintoul
and Evelyn V. Baxter.

Dotterel in the Inner Hebrides. — As there appears to be
no previous record of the Dotterel in the Inner Hebrides, it seems
to us worth while recording that we saw one on Islay. This was
above Port Ellen on 9th September 1937; the bird was evidently
on migration. — Evelyn V. Baxter and Leonora Jeffrey
Rintoul.

SCOTTISH BIRD NOTES

175

SCOTTISH BIRD NOTES.

By James W. Campbell.

(i) Outer Hebrides.

House Sparrow (. Passer d. domesticus). — This species has
increased during the last few years and is now abundant
in North Uist and Benbecula in the immediate vicinity of
human habitations. In these islands it appears to be more
numerous and widely distributed during the breeding season
than in the winter. It is also well distributed through
South Uist, Harris and Lewis.

Garden Warbler ( Sylvia borin). — There was one
in song in the garden of the hotel, Tarbert, Harris, on
27th June 1937. I had an excellent view of the bird from
a distance of a few feet ; the bird was still singing on the
next day when I left Tarbert.

House Martin ( Delichon u. urbica :). — One, Newton,
North Uist, 5th June 1937.

Heron ( Ardea c. cinered). — There were forty-seven nests
at the heronry on Wiay, Benbecula, on 5th June 1936, and
forty-five on 27th May 1937.

COMMON Tern ( Sterna h. hirundo).— During the last few
years I have found the Common Tern in many places in
North and South Uist and Benbecula and it is now by no
means rare, although in my opinion, at any rate as far as
North Uist is concerned, the Arctic Tern is still the more
numerous.

LITTLE Auk (A lie a. alle). — On 16th January 1937, while
crossing from Kyle of Lochalsh to Tarbert, Harris, in the
T.S.M.V, Loch Mor> a large number was encountered off
the north coast of Skye. It was impossible to make an
accurate count ; but there were certainly many hundreds of
them all flying north-westerly until we were a few miles
north-west of Rudha Hunish, after which none was seen
till East Loch Tarbert, where there were a few on the water.
Throughout January and February several occurred in the
Sound of Harris, and the remains of one recently eaten}
probably by a cat, was found at Loch Portain, North Uist.

176

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

Spotted Crake (. Porzana porzana). — One was killed in
North Uist on 22nd October 1936.

(2) Clyde.

These short notes which refer to observations made
during visits to Campbeltown in January and February
1933, and to Inveraray in August 1932 to 1936, have been
prompted by the remarks made by Mr J. M. MWilliam in
The Birds of the Firth of Clyde , as to the need for further
information concerning the status of many species, especially
in the northern part of the area dealt with in his book.
Although these notes are concerned with a few species only,
full notes were kept on the status, habitat, and habits of
all the birds observed in these localities, and it is hoped to
deal with these and also with those for other parts of Argyll
more fully in subsequent notes.

(A) Kintyre.

Corn -Bunting ( Emberiza c. calandra). — Numerous
around some of the stackyards between Campbeltown and
Kilkenzie, and flocks containing thirty to forty were noted.

“ Grey ” Geese. — During my stay at Campbeltown, some
time was spent in pursuit of Grey Geese on the Laggan, and
as I was often within sixty to seventy yards of them, there
were excellent opportunities for accurate identification of
their species. It was difficult to arrive at an estimate of the
number using this area for their number varied markedly
from day to day, depending no doubt on the amount of
disturbance they were subjected to, both here and in the
neighbourhood, but there were probably between one hundred
and two hundred and fifty. This total was made up of Grey
Lag ( Anser anser) and WHITE-FRONTED {A user albifrons ),
and again it was difficult to estimate the proportion of the
two species, for on one day one would predominate and on
the next the other. All the Grey Lags handled had bills of
the orange-yellow type.

PlNK-FOOTED GOOSE ( Anser br achy rhy fichus'). — Fully
identified on one occasion only, 22nd January, when an
excellent view through the telescope was had of a small

SCOTTISH BIRD NOTES

177

party feeding near some Grey Lag. The geese were within
two hundred yards and the visibility was good so that the
distinctive characters were readily made out and compared.

BARNACLE Goose ( Branta leucopsis) — About twenty, on
16th January, were the only ones observed.

Water-rail ( Rallus a. aquaticus). — Several were seen
on the Laggan.

(B) Inveraray.

WHINCHAT ( Saxicola r. rubetra ) and STONECHAT ( Saxi -
cola torquata). — Both were fairly numerous in suitable areas
during August and a few Stonechats were still feeding young
early in the month.

WlGEON {Anas penelope). — There is a small loch in the
hills between Glen Aray and Glen Shira, within three miles
of Inveraray, where Wigeon are reported to have bred for
some years ; I have seen young ones here which were
unable to fly.

Tufted Duck ( Nyroca fuligula). — It may be worth
noting that I was informed by Mr D. M‘Kenzie, keeper at
Inveraray, that a “Golden-eyed” Duck nested in 1931 and
1933 on a small loch near the one used by the Wigeon and
within three miles of Inveraray. The full description I was
given pointed to the birds being Tufted Duck, but further
evidence is desirable before the breeding of the Tufted
Duck at this loch can be established.

BLACK-NECKED Grebe ( Podiceps n. nigricollis'). — On
14th August 1936 I had a very good view from about thirty
yards, through field glasses, of a Grebe swimming in the
harbour at Inveraray. The slightly up-tilted bill and
other distinctive characters were readily made out; there
were no traces of summer plumage.

(3) West Ross.

Long-tailed Duck ( Clangula hyemalis). — Nine in
Gruinard Bay, 6th May 1933

Fulmar {Fulmar us g. glacialls). — There were several at
the Summer Isles on 2nd June 1931.

228

Y

178

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

NOTE

Wild Goat in Scotland. — Mr Hugh Boyd Watt has lately
summarised, in so far as information is available, the history and
status of wild goats in Scotland (m Journal of Animal Ecology , vol. vi.,
No. i, May 1937). These goats are feral and have been derived
from domestic stocks introduced by man. They are generally
distributed in small numbers in certain districts from the Shetlands
to Galloway and the Cheviots, but they are of most frequent
occurrence in the Highlands and the Western Isles.

BOOK NOTICES

An Introduction to Comparative Biochemistry. By ERNEST
Baldwin. Cambridge: University Press, 1937. Pp. xviii+112.

Price 5s. Dr Baldwin in a clear and somewhat technical account
describes the various biochemical processes found in the physiology
of animals of the sea, freshwater, and land. The subject is treated
largely from an evolutionary standpoint and the argument for the
probable origin of vertebrates from a freshwater ancestor is discussed.
Other topics include, the colonisation of freshwater, the ionic com-
position of the blood, the regulation of osmotic pressure and osmotic
independence, the colonisation of dry land, the excretion of nitrogen,
respiration, and the more important animal pigments. This is an
invaluable book which should be in the hands of all senior students
of zoology and naturalists who are interested in the problems of
evolution and ecology of animals.

Some Problems of Being Alive : A Junior Biology. By J. J.
Bryant, B.Sc. Edward Arnold. Pp. viii + 248. 2s. 9d. This book
is an excellent introduction to a difficult subject. It is written by a
schoolmaster for use in schools, and is “designed for use during the
middle-school period when elementary Nature Study is no longer
sufficient, but before the rigid examination syllabus dictates what shall
and what shall not be done.” In fact one cannot imagine the examination
dictators ever approving a syllabus on the lines of this book ! Typical
chapter titles are : Growing, Reproducing, Moving, Getting Energy
for Living, Unfavourable Seasons.

There is a useful appendix giving technical details of dissections, etc.,
and an adequate index. The numerous diagrams are well done and
are worth many pages of text.

The Desert Pool. By G. A. Chalkley. London : Longmans,
Green & Co. Illustrated. Pp. 228. Price 6s. Here the author recounts
in story form life in the African veld on the border of Bechuanaland.
The description of the appearance and habits of all the wild animals,

BOOK NOTICES

179

and how some were tamed by the young hero! “Tony,” lost in this
trackless country, proves interesting reading. The author has illustrated
his drama by 80 excellent photographs.

Where to look for Wild Flowers. By S. C. JOHNSON. London :
W. Foulsham & Co., Ltd. Pp. 143, 8 coloured plates and many text
figs.

This is a book for the beginner to take with him on his rambles.
Many of the common plants of the wayside are figured in colour while
the text is written in simple everyday English. The plants are classified
according to colour, shape, number of petals, etc., and under each
plant is given a short description of the appearance and habitat. The
treatment throughout is elementary and the book may be recommended
to those who like to know the names of the conspicuous flowers which
are seen during a day’s walk.

The Country Rambler’s Complete Guide. By S. C. JOHNSON,
London : W. Foulsham & Co., Ltd. Pp. 143, 8 coloured plates and
many text figs. Price 2s. net.

This volume is uniform with the last, and attempts to deal with the
animals and plants which may be met with in a country walk. With
the small space allotted to each species and the vast field covered, the
result is inevitable. The descriptions in many instances are quite
inadequate for certain identification, but there should be little difficulty
in naming animals and plants from the coloured illustrations. This
book like the last should prove useful in stimulating beginners to
progress to serious study of some group of animals or plants.

Plant Ecology. By Hilda Drabble. London : Edward Arnold
& Co. Pp. 130, 12 plates (24 photographs). Price 7s. 6d. net.

This volume provides an excellent introduction to the study of plants
in their natural habitats. The work is divided into two parts. Part I.
gives a clear and concise account of the structure and modifications of
plant organs in relation to their physiological function, thus building
up for the student a basis for the understanding of Part II. The
eighteen chapters which form this part embrace all the plant com-
munities found in the British Isles. The book is easily read and should
be of real value to students of Botany and Zoology.

An Anthology of Modern Animal Writing. Modern Anthologies,

No. 9. By Frances Pitt. London : Thomas Nelson and Sons, Ltd.
Pp. xiii + 291. Price 3s. 6d. This series of thirty-two articles has been
gathered together for those to whom a study of the living animal in
its natural surroundings is of special interest. The net has been widely
spread and the result is very satisfactory, although one or two of the
articles included seem somewhat legendary rather than the result of
close study of the animal mentioned. There is much, however, of real
interest and we can recommend the volume to all naturalists.

l8o

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

The Way of a Serpent. By T. H. Gillespie. London : Herbert
Jenkins Ltd. Pp. 217. Price 3s. 6d. net. Mr Gillespie, the Director
of the Zoological Park in Edinburgh, is already well known as a writer
of valuable books on popular zoology. In this volume he has given
us a popular account of the habits of Snakes — a group of animals to
which he has always been strongly attracted. In his present capacity
he has had still further opportunities for study and these he has put
to good use. The volume is an exceedingly interesting one — well
written and well illustrated by many clear and attractive plates, with
a really effective frontispiece of the Green Tree Boa in colour.
There are eight chapters in all dealing with such matters as Snakes in
general ; How Snakes Feed ; The Great Constrictors ; Poisonous
Snakes ; British Snakes, etc., as well as an appendix on the behaviour
of various animals in the presence of a Snake.

Afoot in Wild Places. By Seton Gordon. London : Cassell &
Co., Ltd. Pp. xiv + 220, 48 plates. 1937. Price12s.6d.net. Mr Seton
Gordon is well known for his writings on the Highlands and Islands
of Scotland and his latest book retains throughout the same high
standard of its predecessors. The author writes enchantingly of the
dunes, machair and rocky coasts, the folklore and natural history of
the lonely Hebridean Isles which he knows so well. It is easy to
follow him “afoot” whether it be in the Hebrides, the Fame Isles,
Irish Isles or on the lie de Batz, so inspired and enthusiastic is our
guide. This is a most pleasing and satisfying book which is greatly
enhanced by beautiful photographs by the author and his wife.

Grouse Land and the Fringe of the Moor. By Lt.-Col. Lord
George Scott. London : H. F. & G. Witherby Ltd. Pp. 197,
8 plates. 1937. Price 7s. 6d. net. This book deals with the various
aspects of life of the grouse and other game birds of the moorland.
The author has collected much valuable and interesting information
quoting here and there from the well-known volumes on The Grouse in
Health and Disease , but also drawing largely from his own considerable
experience of grouse shooting and moor management. The text is well
written and the illustrations are on the whole good. We recommend
this volume for serious study to all shooting enthusiasts and those
concerned with the management of grouse-moors.

Watching Wild Life. By Phyllis Bond. London : Longmans,
Green & Co. Illustrated. Pp. 177. Price 6s. This little volume with
18 photographs taken by the author is a guide to the character of
wild animals of the English countryside, particularly their actions under
the strain of human scrutiny. It teaches one in a simple way what
to do, and what to avoid doing, when an observer wishes to study
a local fauna. Its greatest value lies in the fact that the author’s own

ROOK NOTICES

181

personal experience is quoted. Virtually for beginners and young people
interested in Nature. Deals chiefly with bird-life.

Koala. By Charles Barrett. Melbourne : Robertson and

Mullens Ltd. 1937. 31 pp. Price 2s. This little book can be fully

recommended. It is a short but interesting account by one who has the
well-being of this fascinating little animal at heart. The author has
studied the Koala in its native haunts and not the least attractive part of
the book is the collection of 17 photographs, most occupying a full page.

Wonders of the Sea : Shells. London : B. T. Batsford Ltd.

Price 5 s. Shells possess many points of interest both artistically and
biologically, and their adaptations to the varying conditions of life are
often very striking. In this volume it is the beauty of the shells
themselves which is stressed, and this is a side which appeals to most
of us. There are fifteen coloured page plates painted from nature and
beautifully reproduced. To the artist and naturalist alike this book
should prove a joy.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Perthshire Society of Natural
Science, vol. ix., part 6. 1935-37. Pp. 2 1 2 -1- lxxxv-xcix. Price 2s. 6d.

This part contains much material of interest and covers a wide range of
subjects as a list of the chief titles shows : — The Birds of Atholl ; The
Natural History of Whales ; Recent Temporary Rock Exposures within
the City of Dundee ; Occurrence of Garnet Sands in the Tay Estuary ;
Botanical Notes from Glen Lyon ; Amateur Astronomy ; The Scottish
Coronation Stone ; The Geology of the Coronation Stone ; also
Proceedings.

A Guide to the Fame Islands. By T. RUSSELL GODDARD.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne : Andrew Reid & Co., Ltd., 32 pp. Price 6d.
In this handy little guide a good deal of varied information has been
packed. The birds and mammals are fully described and a section on
the history and topography of the islands is included. There are several
excellent photographs.

A List of Irish Birds, showing the Species contained in the
National Collection. By G. R. Humphreys. Fifth Edition. Dublin :
Stationery Office. Price 6d. This list as compiled brings the information
up to the end of 1936, and the author is to be congratulated on the way
in which he has done the work. For all species a series of notes is
given. These deal with the status of the bird, and in the case of the
rarer species with the specimens secured. Brief particulars are also
given of birds ringed in Great Britain or on the Continent which have
been recovered in Ireland ; also of the much smaller number of birds
ringed in Ireland and recovered elsewhere.

INDEX

CONTRIBUTORS.

Ainslie, John A., 7
Atkinson, Robert, 7
Bagnall, R. S., 87, 145
Balmain, K. H., 80
Baxter, Evelyn V., 3, 71, 85, 93, 174
Best, Mary G. S., 24
Beveridge, George, 173
Burr, Malcolm, 31
Campbell, Bruce, 6
Campbell, James W., 175
Chapman, W. M. M., 163
Clancey, Philip A., 82, 83, 85, 168
Dewar, J. M., 32, 81
Duncan, Arthur B., 24, 46
Evans, C. Ethel, 162
Fenton, E. Wyllie, 1 1 5
Fraser, F. C., 103
Gladstone, Hugh S., 45
Greenshields, Frank, 102, 138
Gunn, P. W. G., 1 14
Halliday, T. S., 57
Hamilton, David, 123, 129, 134
Hamilton, M. K., 45, 58
Harrison, George Heslop, 64
Harrison, J. W. Heslop, 61, 107, 135,
169

Hopkins, Nicol, 82, 85
Hull, Rev. J. IE., 107
Hynd, W. R. Brough, 47
Kevan, D. K., 13, 102, 114
Maxwell, Herbert, 50

Meigle, Janet Hamilton, 85
Midlothian Ornithological Club, 51, 125
Molteno, D. I., 48, 50, 57, 82, 85, 144,
161, 168

Morrison, G. D., 67
Murray, jas., 6, 34, 72, 162
Oldham, Charles, 49
Platt, Margery I., 173
Raitt, D. S., 155
Rennie, William, 168
Rintoul, Leonora Jeffrey, 3, 71, 85, 93,
174

Robinson, H. W., 24, 133, 172
Serle, William, 35, 56, 57, 72
Shearer, Gordon, 90
Short, William, 82
Slack, H. D., 91
Spence, Tom, 90, 134
Spooner, G. M., 15

Stephen, A. C., 5, 46, 48, 77, 106, 131,

152

Stewart, Walter, 58
Stout, George, 72, 85
Thomson, Matthew C., 56
Tucker, B. W., 163
Waterston, A. R., 6, 114, 162
Waterston, George, 25, 73, 114
Watson, A. D., 58
Watson, W. A. McLeod, 113
Wood, Henry, 6
Wykes, J. C., 144

MATTERS NOTICED IN EDITORIALS.

Hebrides, Outer, Fauna of, I Wildfowl and Heron in Outer Hebrides,

Scottish Marine Zoology, 154 133

The Handbook of British Birds, 153 Woodland Bird Enquiry, 1

The Scottish Ornithologists’ Club, 2, 33

MAMMALS.

Dolphins, Common, North Sea, 103 Whale, Bottle-nosed, Islay, 5 ; River

Mammalia of Raasay, etc., 62 Tay, 102 ; Forth, 152

Mouse, Albino Grass, Dumfriesshire, 46

BIRDS.

Auk, Little, Dumfriesshire, 45 ; Granton,
45 ; Forth, 48

Avifauna of Duddingston Loch, Mid-
lothian, 35

Bird Migration, The Study of, 123

Bird Observatory, Isle of May, Autumn
Report, 1936, 51 ; Spring Report,
1937, 125

Birds, Two Rare American, Scotland, 46
Bittern, Aberdeenshire, 71

182

INDEX

83

BIRD S — continued.

Cormorants, East Renfrewshire, 85
Diver, Black - throated, Duddingston
Loch, 72

Dotterel, Edinburgh, 144 ; Inner
Hebrides, 174

Gannets, Young, with Malformed Beaks,
172 ; Recoveries, Ringed, Bass
Rock, 133

Godwits, Black-tailed, St Andrews 71 ;

Shetland, 72 ; Pentlands, 134
Grebe, Black-necked, Loch Dochart,
1 61 ; Duddingston, 56 ; Lochend
Loch, 57 ; North Berwick, 80
Grebe, Great Crested, Breeding of,
Duddingston Loch, 134
Grebe, Red-necked, Linlithgow Loch,
50 ; Lochend Loch, 57 ; Scotland,
71; East Renfrewshire, 82; Mussel-
burgh, 82

Grebe, Slavonian, Duddingston, 56
Grebes and other Birds, Linlithgow
Loch, 129

Gull, Iceland, Musselburgh, 144
Gulls, Herring, feeding on Starfish, 32,
49, 81

Jackdaw breeding in Open Nest, 123
Knapdale : a Summer Survey, 163
Martin, House-, Scarcity of, 50
Martin, Sand-, Note on, 113
Notes : North Rona, 7 ; Shetland, 25 ;
Fair Isle, 73 \ Forth Area, 58, 90 ;
Possil Marsh, Glasgow, 168 ; North
Uist, 173 ; Scottish, 175

Nutcracker, Probable, Lanarkshire,

58

Oriole, Golden, Peeblesshire, 82
Petrel, Fulmar, first to hatch, Bass
Rock, 172

Pintail, Sutherland, 24
Plover, Ringed Golden, Skye, 48
Puffins, Ringing, Good Percentage of
Recoveries on Breeding Ground,
24

Redwing, Ringed Iceland, Harris, 48
Ruff, Forth, 48

Scottish Ornithological Club, Official
Section, 59, 92

Smew, Duddingston Loch, 56 ; Forth,
85 ; Fair Isle, 85 ; Perthshire, 85 ;
Linlithgow Loch, 114
Status of, in Scotland, 1936, Notes
on, 3

Storm-Petrel, Edinburgh, 6
Supplementary Notes to “A Contribu-
tion to the Ornithology of West
Lanarkshire and East Renfrew-
shire,” 83

Swallows, Scarcity of, 50
Swan, Whooper, Loch Dochart, 161
Terns, Black, Aberlady, 168
Waxwing, Immigration of, in Spring
1937, 94 j Duddingston Loch, 72 ;
Note on, 1 14

Wheatear, Greenland, Note on, 1 14 ;

Renfrewshire, 168
Woodpecker, Green, Fife, 85

REPTILES.

Reptilia of Raasay, etc., 62

AMPHIBIANS.

Amphibia, Raasay, etc., 61

FISHES.

Rare, Creetown, 152 Wrasse, Ballan, Banff, 6 ; Firth of

Shark, Basking, Alloa, 173 Forth, 56 ; North Berwick, 80

CHORDATES.

Lancelet, Montrose, 106

CRUSTACEANS.

Gammarus , Occurrence of, in Scottish Coastal, Brackish and Inland Waters, 155

MOLLUSCS.

Cephalopods, Notes on Scottish, 1 3 1 Mollusca, Land and Freshwater, of

Limax cinereoniger in Midlothian, 102 Raasay, etc., 64

Squid, Todarodes sagittatus , Recent Invasions of, Scotland, 77

184

THE SCOTTISH NATURALIST

ARACHNIDS.

Eriophyidae, or Gallmites, of Raasay, Spiders and Allied Groups in Raasay,
etc., 135 etc., 107

INSECTS.

COLLEMBOLA.

Onychiuridce , Scottish, Contribution
towards a Knowledge of, 87, 145

ORTHOPTERA.

Acrydium bipunctatum , Perthshire, 31
Thysanoptera.

Thysanoptera found on Raasay and
Scalpay, 67

Hemiptera.

Hemiptera — Heteroptera, Note on
Scottish, 91 ; Dumfriesshire, 162
Pentatomidae in Dumfriesshire, 72
Psyllinae in Dumfriesshire, 34

Lepidoptera.

Butterfly, Peacock, Dumfriesshire, 24 ;
Islay, 174

Hawk Moth, Bee, Mid Perth, 162

Hawk Moth, Death’s Head, Argyll, 162
Lepidoptera, Notes on Scottish, 47
Moth, Goat, Caithness, 114
Triphaena, the Variations of the
Lepidopterous Genus, in Raasay,
etc., 169

COLEOPTERA.

Coleoptera, Notes on Scottish, 47
Dryoccetes villosus , Scotland, 13
Otiorrhynchus porcatus, Scotland, 1 14
Phymatodes testaceus, Scotland, 13

HYMENOPTERA.

Hymenoptera aculeata , from the North-
West Highlands, 15
Hymenoptera Symphyta on the Island
of Raasay, 138

Diptera.

Ectinocera borealis , Dumfries, 6

NEMATHELMINTHS.

Mottled Hairworm, Gordius villoti, Dumfriesshire, 6 ; Edinburgh, 162

BOTANY.

Algae Studies from Boghall Glen, 1 1 5

BOOK NOTICES.

Afoot in Wild Places, 180
A Guide to the Fame Islands, 18 1
A List of Irish Birds, 181
A Modern Biology, 86
A Monograph of the British Neuroptera,
151

A Moth-Hunter’s Gossip, 86
An Anthology of Modern Animal
Writing. Modern Anthologies,
No. 9, 179

An Introduction to Comparative Bio-
chemistry, 178

Aquariums and Fish Ponds, 23
Bird Migration, 151
British Animal Tracks, 14
British Grasshoppers and their Allies,

Bureau of Animal Population, 124
Grouse Land and the Fringe of the
Moor, 180

Koala, 1 81

Palaeontology, Invertebrate, 86
Plant Ecology, 179

Some Problems of being Alive : a Junior
Biology, 178

St Kilda Papers, 1931, 124
The Beauty of Butterflies, 86
The Country Rambler’s • Complete
Guide, 179
The Desert Pool, 178
The Lore of the Lyre-Bird, 15 1
The Way of a Serpent, 180
Thirty Years of Nature Photography, 55
Transactions and Proceedings of the
Perthshire Society of Natural
Science, 181

Watching Wild Life, 180

Where to look for Wild Flowers, 179

Wonders of the Sea : Shells, 18 1

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CONTENTS

PAGE

Editorial . . . . . . 153

On the Occurrence of Gcimmarus in Scottish Coastal, Brackish

and Inland Waters — D. S. Raitt , D.Sc. . . 1 5 5

Knapdale : a Summer Survey — W. M. M. Chapman and

B. W. Tucker . . . . . .163

The Natural History of the Island of Raasay and of the
Adjacent Isles of South Rona, Scalpay, Longay, and
Fladday {continued from p. 144) : —

VII. The Variation of the Lepidopterous genus Triphsena
in Raasay, South Rona, and Scalpay, with Special
Reference to T. ianthina Esp.— /. IV. Heslop Harrison,

D.Sc. ....... 169

Scottish Bird Notes — James IV. Campbell . . .175

Book Notices . . . . . . .178

Notes :

Whooper Swan and Black-necked Grebes at Loch Dochart —

D. 1. Molteno, 161 ; Dumfriesshire Hemiptera-Heteroptera —

Jas. Murray, 162 ; Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk Moth
(. Hcemorrhagia tityus (L.)) in Mid-Perth — C. Ethel Evans,

162 ; Death’s Head Hawk Moth ( Acherontia atropos (L.)) in
Argyll — A. R. IVaterston, 162 ; Mottled Hairworm (1 Gordius
villoti (Rosa)), in Edinburgh — A. R. IVaterston, 162 :

Notes from Possil Marsh, Glasgow — William Rennie, 168;
Greenland Wheatear in Renfrewshire — Philip A. Clancey,

168; Black Terns at Aberlady — D. I. Molteno , 168;

Young Gannets with Malformed Beaks — H. W. Robinson,

172 ; First Fulmar Petrel to Hatch on the Bass Rock —

H. W. Robinson, 172 ; Basking Shark at Alloa — M. I. Platt,

173; Notes from North Uist — George Beveridge , 174;
Peacock Butterflies on Islay — Leonora Jeffrey Rintoul and
Evelyn V. Baxter, 174 ; Dotterel in the Inner Hebrides —
Leonora Jeffrey Rintoul and Evelyn V. Baxter, 174 ; Wild
Goat in Scotland, 178.

Index . ....... 182

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